1921
Orville
2016
Orville Burnett Johnson
December 21, 1921 — September 24, 2016
Orville Burnett (O.B.) Johnson, 94, of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, September 24, 2016 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
Orville was born on December 21, 1921, the son of Clifford and Mabel (Holen) Johnson in Trail County, North Dakota. He attended school in Bottineau, ND, and graduated from the School of Forestry in 1942. Following his service in the anti-tank company of the 114th Infantry, he returned to college and graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1947, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
On June 22, 1947, Orville married Lorraine Carlson in Bottineau, ND. In 1948, he was employed by Otter Tail Power Company and the couple moved to Fergus Falls. He was in the Production Engineering and Construction Department and at the time of his retirement on January 1, 1985, was the director of that department. The highlight of Orville’s career was involvement in the construction of the Big Stone Power Plant in South Dakota and as project manager for construction of Coyote Station in North Dakota.
Orville was active in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout Programs, while his sons were in scouting. In 1978, he inherited a motorcycle from his youngest son, Michael, who died in a car accident. He dearly loved motorcycling and cross country trips to both oceans and many other trips. He gave up motorcycling after an altercation with a deer near Fergus Falls in 1990. For many years, he was active in the Fergus Falls Rifle and Pistol Club, until the onset of age and corpulence made position shooting difficult. After retirement, he enjoyed driving, meeting with friends and card games.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Michael and Ronald Johnson; a brother, Everett; and a sister, Adeline.
Orville is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Lorraine Johnson of Fergus Falls; a grandson, Stephen Johnson of Minneapolis; his good friends, Tom and Carol Erickson; all of his friends from Otter Tail Power, Bethlehem Church, and the Viking Café.
Visitation: 10:00-11:00 AM on Thursday, September 29, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Service: 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 29, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Tom Peterson
Military Participation: Fergus Falls American Legion Post #30 and VFW Post #612
Arrangements by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN.
Orville was born on December 21, 1921, the son of Clifford and Mabel (Holen) Johnson in Trail County, North Dakota. He attended school in Bottineau, ND, and graduated from the School of Forestry in 1942. Following his service in the anti-tank company of the 114th Infantry, he returned to college and graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1947, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
On June 22, 1947, Orville married Lorraine Carlson in Bottineau, ND. In 1948, he was employed by Otter Tail Power Company and the couple moved to Fergus Falls. He was in the Production Engineering and Construction Department and at the time of his retirement on January 1, 1985, was the director of that department. The highlight of Orville’s career was involvement in the construction of the Big Stone Power Plant in South Dakota and as project manager for construction of Coyote Station in North Dakota.
Orville was active in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout Programs, while his sons were in scouting. In 1978, he inherited a motorcycle from his youngest son, Michael, who died in a car accident. He dearly loved motorcycling and cross country trips to both oceans and many other trips. He gave up motorcycling after an altercation with a deer near Fergus Falls in 1990. For many years, he was active in the Fergus Falls Rifle and Pistol Club, until the onset of age and corpulence made position shooting difficult. After retirement, he enjoyed driving, meeting with friends and card games.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Michael and Ronald Johnson; a brother, Everett; and a sister, Adeline.
Orville is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Lorraine Johnson of Fergus Falls; a grandson, Stephen Johnson of Minneapolis; his good friends, Tom and Carol Erickson; all of his friends from Otter Tail Power, Bethlehem Church, and the Viking Café.
Visitation: 10:00-11:00 AM on Thursday, September 29, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Service: 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 29, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Tom Peterson
Military Participation: Fergus Falls American Legion Post #30 and VFW Post #612
Arrangements by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Orville Burnett Johnson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, September 29, 2016
10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Service
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
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