Allerd O. Johnson

Allerd O. Johnson, age 89 of Park River, ND passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the First Care Health Center of Park River. Allerd O. Johnson was born June 6, 1921 in Vernon Township, Walsh County, ND the son of the late Peder and I. Laura (Flaten) Johnson. He attended rural school in Golden Township and graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River in 1939. Allerd served in the United States Army from October of 1942 - December of 1945. He served in the European Theater as a tank driver in the 10th Armored Division. He was wounded in battle and received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Battle Star. Following his discharge he worked in Minneapolis loading box cars in a meat packing plant. He later returned to Park River and farmed with his father and brother Howard. Allerd was united in marriage to Irene Landsborough on November 10, 1951 in Park River. The couple lived and farmed in Vernon Township. Irene passed away on November 8, 1992 and Allerd moved to the Good Samaritan Center on Aug. 1, 2008. He was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Park River, ND and the former Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church of rural Park River. He served on the Farmers Elevator Board in Park River, served as director for Cenex Board in Park River, was a member of the NFO, and the Paul Farup American Legion Post. In 1994 he received the Walsh County Soil Conservation Achievement Award. He had an extensive collection of caps and pocket knives. Allerd is survived by his children: DeWayne (Gwen) Johnson, Park River, ND; Gail (Richard) Hokenson, Rochert, MN; Erna (Dean) Meberg, Park River, ND; Dwight (Susan) Johnson, Park River, ND; Lina (John) Eide, Fargo, ND; eight grandchildren: Bethany (Sven) Kamrud, Fargo, ND; Crystal Johnson, Park River, ND; Kelli (Bobby) Schatz, Fargo, ND; Katie Meberg (Dean Thompson), Park River, ND; Sean (Justine) Meberg, Iraq; Andrew Johnson, Park River, ND; David and Thomas Eide, Fargo, ND; two great grandchildren: Trace Anderson, Park River, ND & Benjamin Schatz, Fargo, ND; his sisters: Martha Troftgruben, Grafton, ND; Lois Winther, Park River, ND; Dorothy (Vernon) Russum, Grafton, ND; Marilyn (Rossford) Johnson, Park River, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Irene and a brother, Howard. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Park River, ND. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River, ND. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND. Military rites will be provided by the Paul Farup American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard.