Everette Dan Johnson

Everette Dan Johnson, 101, passed away Friday, March 15, 2013 at Bayshore surrounded by his family. He was born to Swedish immigrants (the province of Dalarna, Sweden) Erick and Karin (Danielson) Johnson, on December 26, 1911 in Minneapolis.

Everette attended Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis, graduating in 1930. He was an avid golfer and on the high school golf team. In the 1930s he attended the U of MN. He left school midway to earn money and went west to CA where he had relatives. He worked in a gold mine in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern CA and then returned to the U of M to complete his degree in mining engineering. He returned to northern CA in the late 1930s and worked again in a gold mine. In the small mining town of Allegheny he met Frances Antone, who was the local school teacher, and they married in 1938. In 1940 Everette and his wife returned to MN and he started to work for Oliver Mining Company in Coleraine on the Iron Range near Grand Rapids. His children, Beverly and Byron were born during this time. In 1951, Everette transferred to the U.S. Steel office at the Wolvin Building at 3rd Ave. West and 1st St. in Duluth. His son, Doug was born two years after moving to Duluth. Everette was widowed in 1970. He continued to golf into his 80s. In his 60s he took dancing lessons at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio and then enjoyed years of dancing at local clubs such as the Moose and Tony’s Cabaret in Superior. He was a very good dancer and expected his lady friends to dance well, too! Everette and his family were active in the First Presbyterian Church on 2nd St. He enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting. His sons would tell you he taught them about these sports and they continue these sports to this day. During his later years he often traveled to visit his daughter when she lived in different parts of the U.S. Through the years, Everette has always enjoyed spending time with his family, including great grandchildren. His children have found him to be always very supportive and interested in their lives. He has always been very proud of his Swedish heritage and visited Sweden in 1974, and several of his relatives have visited MN.

While at Bayshore he enjoyed social interaction with the staff and loved music; especially the accordion music of Lorren Lindevig. Everette always had several music requests when Mr. Lindevig played! For his 100th birthday he had a “bash” as one of his sons has described his December 26th, 2011 birthday. There was music, food, and decorations in yellow and blue to honor his Swedish ancestry. During December Everette always enjoyed at least one meal of lutefisk to celebrate the holiday season.

Everette is preceded in death by his wife, Frances; brother, Donald and sister, Doris.

He is survived by his daughter, Beverly Johnson, Seattle, WA; sons, Byron (Susan) Johnson, and Douglas (Joanne) Johnson both of Duluth, MN.; grandchildren, Jorrie, Eric, Chad, Amber, Mallory, Melinda, and Christine; great grandchildren, Tiffany, Austyn, Will, Calvin, and Kole; sister in law, Jean Johnson, Eugene, OR; her four sons, Craig, Duane, Neil, and Mark Johnson; and niece, Susann Baldo.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at First Presbyterian Church, 300 East 2nd St. at 11 a.m. Visitation will be Monday, March 18 from 4-7 p.m. at Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home , 925 East 4th St. and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment at Forest Hill. Memorials preferred to First Presbyterian Church.

To leave a memory of Everette or words of support please visit our website at www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com.