Jeffrey Johnson

Jeffrey R. Johnson , 67, of Webster, WI, formerly of Duluth and Hermantown, died at home surrounded by love and the music of Tosca, on Sunday, July 2, 2017. Jeff had lived with metastatic prostate cancer for more than 10 years, and was an inspiration to many for the strength and grace with which he faced every day.    Jeff was born in Biwabik, MN, on April 27, 1950, to Albert (Abie) and Clarice Johnson. He was a graduate of Biwabik High School. Jeff began working on the DM&IR/CN ore docks in Duluth in 1972, and retired from the railroad in 2010 after 38 years. In Jeff's words, "I married the love of my life on Oct. 16, 1976." Jeff and Angie had two wonderful daughters and made their home in Hermantown while the girls were growing up. They then retired to their lake home in Webster in 2013. Jeff's greatest enjoyment in life was to spend time with family, especially his girls and grandsons. He could also frequently be found on one of the local golf courses. Despite his claim that he "never got very good," others might disagree. Golf was much more than a hobby for Jeff, and he would often head to the course to play at least a few holes after enduring a long day of chemo treatment, just to provide some normalcy. He also enjoyed many years of weekly "old man basketball" with a group of close friends in the Hermantown gym. Although Jeff was not an avid fisherman, he and a group of lifelong friends would take an annual fishing trip to Lake of the Woods. After retirement, the activity he most looked forward to was the weekly men's group at First United Methodist Church in Duluth, where he was a long-time member. He was always grateful for the love and support he received from the group. Along with Jeff's wry sense of humor and story-telling abilities, people were often surprised by Jeff's love for and knowledge of opera, which proved to be a valuable diversion for him during his many hospitalizations. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law (Loris and Harvey Larson); brother-in-law, Donavon Larson; and nephew Jonathan Barnes. Family members are his wife of 40 years, Angela (Angie); daughters, Rhiannon of Maple Grove, and Kelsey (Adam) Lyons of La Crosse; grandsons, Owyn and Cayden Lyons of La Crosse; brothers, Jay (Chris Dinsdale) of Seattle, and Jan (Lois) of Chisago City; sisters-in-law, Becky Barnes, and Cindy Larson Orn of Alexandria; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the medical teams at the Mayo Clinic for the exceptional care provide to Jeff over the years, especially Dr. Eugene Kwon, Dr. Jeffrey Karnes, and Dr. Michael Bannon. Special thanks also to the staff of St. Croix Hospice for their loving care and compassion. Visitation will be Monday, July 10, from 5 to 7 PM; memorial service will be Tuesday, July 11, at 11 AM, both at First United Methodist Church, Duluth MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church of Duluth, or CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) Duluth. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor