Howard Johnson, age 86, of Hammond, formerly of Hudson, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday August 4th at his daughter’s residence in Hammond. Howard was born on May 22, 1927 in River Falls; the son of Samuel and Rose (Johnson) Johnson. He was raised in River Falls where he attended school. On October 6, 1948, he was united in marriage to his best friend Shirley McGinley in New Richmond. Howard worked many years for Phillips Plaster in North St. Paul as a hod carrier; which ultimately resulted in Howard being disabled later in life. He recently was appreciated for his 50th year in the Laborers International Union Of North America, Local 132. He also enjoyed his time farming in Troy Township.

Howard was an avid outdoorsman who loved deer hunting with family and friends or fishing on Devil’s Lake near Webster. He was more than willing to cheer his beloved Packers or Badgers to victory and enjoyed watching a good boxing match. He was always up for either a euchre or cribbage game and took the challenge of a word find game.  Lastly, he always had Jay in The Morning on Moose Country to start off his day.

Howard will remain the in the hearts of his children Sandra (Thomas) Richison of Hammond, Julie (David) Waldroff of Hudson, Connie (Dave) Ostby of Hudson, Donovan (Fiancée Darci Anderson) Johnson of Glenwood City, Jonelle (Michael) Gideo of Cumberland, 14 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild, sister Bernice “Toots” (LaVerne) McAleavey of River Falls. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley, granddaughter Tammy Lynn Waldroff, and siblings Stan, Urais, Lyle, Ronald “Mike”, Gladys Barr, Helen Pechacek, Lee, Marshall, Herbert “Bert”, and Rosella “Zell”, Virgil “Shorty”.

Funeral service for Howard will be 11AM Friday August 9th at Bethel Lutheran Church (downtown) in Hudson. Burial will be in the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson with his grandchildren serving as casketbearers; Active bearers being Jon Waldroff, Troy Ostby, Travis Ostby, Jim Waldroff, Austin Johnson, Cody Fillion, Kelly Constant, Nate Brigham, Derrick Gideo; honorary bearers Tracy Constant, Lisa Brigham, Kendra Waldroff, Kim (Waldroff) Grass, Kerri (Waldroff) Bjornstad, Jessica Fillion, and Ericka Johnson. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4PM to 8PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson as well as one hour prior to the service at church on Friday morning. Memorials preferred.