Albert Johnson

Albert Glenn Johnson, age 95, a longtime Cannon Falls attorney, passed away at home on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at the Twin Rivers Senior Living Campus.

Albert “Bud” was born on February 19, 1923 in Woodville, WI. He was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church at St. Paul, MN. As a young man, he attended the First Baptist Church at Woodville. When he moved to Cannon Falls, he joined the First Congregational Church and was a member for over 50 years and held many church offices.

He graduated from Woodville High School with the class of 1941. He was the senior class president and lettered in football, basketball, track, and softball.

Al served in the US Maritime Service in World War II, receiving medals for service in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Mediterranean Sea, as well as Odessa, Russia. He was awarded the Combat Bar for action against German E boats and submarines in the North Sea and Scheldt River, Belgium, before and during the Battle of the Bulge. He received a citation from the Government of the Philippines for their liberation from the Japanese, as well as the Victory Medal.

He was always interested in sports. After WW II, he pitched baseball for a variety of city teams, including the popular Larry Duffy’s Team of Spring Valley, WI.

He attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for pre-law and Drake University Law School, where he graduated in 1951 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. He was admitted to both the Iowa and Minnesota Bars in 1951.

He married Virginia May Gullickson on August 26, 1948 in Woodville. Their son, Thomas was born on November 14, 1952 and daughter, Mary on August 4, 1954.

On January 1, 1953, Al opened a law office in Cannon Falls. His brother, James joined him six months later to form the partnership of Johnson and Johnson. Their office grew with the addition of Kenneth Skrien, James Burkhardt, and James Johnson, Jr. The office continued for over 45 years. Both Al and Jim retired in 1987.

In addition to his extensive law practice, he was very active in the Cannon Falls community. He served as scout master, member of the city council, co-organized and was a charter member and director of the Industrial Development Corporation, incorporated the Cannon Falls Historical Museum, incorporator of the Cannon Falls Library, chairman of the 1954 Historical Book Committee, co-chairman of the 1976 Bicentennial Book Committee (Cannon Falls Chronicles), president of the Cannon Falls Commercial Club, member of the Board of Directors of the Cannon Falls Baseball Team, director and president of the Cannon Falls Golf Club, member and president of the board of the Cannon Falls Men’s Choir, member of the American Legion and VFW, chairman of the board that compiled and preserved the history of the service records for Cannon Falls area service members filed in the Red Wing and Cannon Falls museums, committee member that organized The Shepherd Center, and was a member of the board that established the Cannon Valley Trail.  He was the 1954 Candidate for Minnesota State Representative, served many years as Randolph City Attorney, secretary/treasurer of the First District Bar Association, elected by the lawyers of the 1st Judicial District to represent them on the Board of Governors of the Minnesota State Bar Association. He was also a moderator and trustee of the First Congregational Church, as well as Sunday school teacher.

In addition, he enjoyed painting pictures in watercolor, oil and pastels. He and Virginia traveled extensively, visiting every continent except Antarctica. They were also avid downhill skiers and often skied at Vail, Aspen, and Steamboat in Colorado, as well as St. Antons and St. Cristofe in Austria. He loved gardening, fishing, playing bridge, and hiking in the woods.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Virginia; son, Thomas and his wife, Linda Ficere of Redmond, OR; daughter, Mary Erbele and her husband, David of Eden Prairie; brother, James H. Johnson, Sr. of Cannon Falls; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Clara; and sister-in-law, Marion Johnson.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Cannon Falls. Interment will follow at the Cannon Falls Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First Congregational Church or Cannon Valley Senior Center.

Active pallbearers will be David Erbele, Jim Burkhardt, Dennis Brekken, Bruce Johnson, Anthony Lundell, and Jim Bremer. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Robert E. Molenaar and Paul Bringgold.