Joel Johnson

Joel R Johnson (May 11, 1958 - June 29, 2022) It is said to fully understand a man you must walk a mile in his shoes. That was rather difficult with Joel given he rarely sat still long enough for someone to get a hold of them. Even getting him to sit for any length of time in a deer stand was a chore. Not because he didn’t enjoy hunting, he loved it, but because he felt his time was better spent on the move. With his prized .30-30 cradled in his arms, he could walk all day in the November cold provided he had on his favorite socks knitted by “Grandma Aiti”. Perhaps the best opportunity to snatch his shoes was when they sat on shore while Joel waded the shallows of a lake hoping to hook a largemouth. Raised in Waterville, MN by nurturing parents Joel had access and opportunity to fish, and it became a passion. He even worked summers in High School at a resort on the Gunflint Trail as a camp hand and fishing guide. Later he’d share his love for the sport with his 3 children by heading to local lakes and teaching them to cast and set a hook. Even if you were able to step in Joel’s shoes, a mile hardly seems enough to scratch the surface. It’s only a tiny fraction of the distance he walked on the showroom floor of Rivertown Furniture; where he spent 32 years on his feet helping families find the right furnishings to take them off theirs. He’d do more than a mile walking his favorite dog, Gem, after work. But perhaps the shoes themselves might give some clues into Joel’s life. If you looked hard enough maybe you’d find some sawdust from when he worked as a carpenter after high school, and then used his knowledge to help build the family’s lake house with his dad and brothers. You’d most certainly see the soles worn from hiking with his kids at Interstate State Park, and perhaps some drops of barbeque sauce from his famous grilled chicken. But there’s a lot you won’t see on those shoes. You won’t see the way Joel made people laugh with his witty comebacks. You won’t see the ups and downs of a marriage and starting a family. You won’t see the immense struggles he endured. And you won’t see the love of the outdoors, the strong work ethic, and the independent nature he impressed on his children. Fortunately, Joel didn’t strive to be understood; he wanted to be loved. And he was loved by, but not limited to, the following: his parents Elna and Merlyn (deceased) Johnson, his sister Jana (Terry) Roemen, brothers Jeri (Cindy) Johnson and Jon (Kathy) Johnson, children Toya Rouzer, Josh (Julie) Johnson, and Zach (Danae) Johnson, and his six grandchildren. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.