F. Verne Johnson

F. Verne Johnson, born September 10, 1912, in Pontiac, Illinois, passed away at home November 10, 2013, at age 101. The only boy among 3 sisters, Verne grew up on a farm in North Dakota with no electricity or running water. He walked 3 miles to a one-room schoolhouse except in winter when he traveled by horse and sled. An inventive boy, he fixed his dad’s tractor, as he never liked farming with horses that had “minds of their own.” After poor crops and poor prices during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, Verne decided to give up farming and set up a radio repair shop, where he also repaired everything from bicycles to large appliances. At a county fair Verne met Myrtle Granrud, a school teacher, and declared his wedding day in 1938 the “happiest” day of his life. He was a devoted husband for more than 70 years. Serving his country during WW II, Verne was an instructor of Morse code to the radio operators in bombers. After the war Verne and Myrtle moved out west to Everett, WA, where they settled in their West Ridge dream home, and Verne took a job with Rodger’s Electric that lasted 37 years.

Verne was a 67-year member of both Central Lutheran Church and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was always fascinated with electronics, first repairing radios, later building his own stereo and television sets. Getting his first computer at age 95, he loved to follow the financial market and trade stocks on-line. He never truly gave up farming and produced bumper crops of green beans and tomatoes. Learning to drive a Model T at 13, Verne always loved cars, especially the fast ones, and drove his Camry until he was 100 ¾. A kind and gentle spirit, Verne was a man of few words, but every word counted. Daily he demonstrated that he would do anything for his family.

Verne is survived by two daughters, Joan (Eric) Kading of Wrangell, Alaska, and Linda (Jim Cissell) Johnson of Seattle; sisters Helen Holstine and Eleanor (Bud) Wold of Marysville, WA; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. His wife, Myrtle; an infant son, Alan; and sister, Marjorie Benthien preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., November 17, 2013, at Central Lutheran Church in Everett. Visitation will be from 9-1:30 p.m. November 18 at Purdy & Walters with Cassidy. Memorials may be made to Central Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.