Roger G Johnson

Roger Gerald Johnson ("Rog") of Battle Lake, MN, formerly of Fergus Falls, MN, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2026.

Rog was born on September 18, 1941 to Arthur and Eleanor Johnson in Minneapolis, MN. After grade school Rog moved with his family to Deephaven, MN. He played hockey and football for the Skippers and graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1959. Roger went on to play college hockey for the Auggies and earned his Education degree from Augsburg College in 1964. He was prepared to go to Navy Officers Candidate School when he got a call from Fergus Falls High School looking for a history teacher and hockey coach. He began his teaching career in 1965 and spent the next 58 years dedicated to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.

Roger married Gail Lammers in 1974 after they met while bartending together at Stub's in Battle Lake. Roger and Gail later welcomed a daughter, Melissa. They resided in Fergus Falls until 1994 when they moved to their home on Clitherall Lake. Rog enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and deer and the peace and quiet of lake life. He always said Sunday was the nicest day of the week, probably because all the weekend lake people went home. He was a Golden Gopher, Vikings, Wild and Twins fan, even if he often swore at the TV while watching them.

Rog taught American and World History at the Fergus Falls High School for 34 years. He retired in 1999, but continued to sub until 2023. Rog loved being at school and often stopped to visit even if he didn't have a subbing job. He loved sharing his passion for hockey with his students and often showed the movie Miracle which combined his love for hockey and history. Other popular features in Rog's class were Slap Shot and The Sandlot. Just like Herb Brooks had "Brooksisms," Rog had "Rogisms." Things like "do whatever you want, just don't bother me!" When the Otters made it to the state hockey tournament for the first time in school history, he walked in the locker room and said "We're not going down there to eat hot dogs!" If you worked with Rog or had him as a teacher or coach you likely have a list of these "Rogisms" and stories to go with them. Herb Brooks said, "You can't be common, the common man goes nowhere; you have to be uncommon." Rog was uncommon, he was one of a kind!

He was the head boy's hockey coach from 1965-1972 and varsity assistant and junior varsity coach for the next 27 years. He considered himself the volunteer general manager for the Fergus Fall Boys Hockey Team until the fall of 2023. He was a special correspondent for the Fergus Fall Daily Journal who took photos and wrote articles covering boys' hockey for more than 20 seasons, and handed out boys' hockey equipment every fall for 50 plus years.

In March of 1992, Johnson was named Minnesota's Assistant Boys Hockey Coach of the Year and in 1998 he was recognized as the Section 4 Class A Assistant Coach of the Year after achieving his 300th victory. In May of 2013, he was inducted into the Fergus Falls High School Hall of Fame. In 2016 Roger was presented with the prestigious Don Clark Award presented by Minnesota Hockey to an individual who over a period of many years has been dedicated to the grassroots growth and development of youth hockey in Minnesota. In September of 2025, he was inducted into the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame and was honored at a Minnesota Wild Hockey game.

Like most hockey players growing up in Minnesota, Johnson dreamed of being in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament during his high school career and came ever so close his senior year, falling one game short in playoffs. In February of 1997, his dream of reaching the state tournament finally came true. The Fergus Falls boys' hockey team defeated Little Falls 3-0 for their first section title in school history. Little did they know, the team's win would start a stretch of seven consecutive section titles and state tournament appearances from 1997-2003, and Johnson was able to join the team and help coach on most of their trips to St. Paul.

Rog has instilled a passion for the game in countless Otters and was a tireless ambassador for hockey in Fergus Falls for 55 years. Whether at school or the hockey rink, Rog's pride and joy was spending time with kids. If a player couldn't afford equipment or a student needed a backpack, he made sure they had it.

Rog has three grandsons, Owen, Griffin and Keaton. He enjoyed watching them participate in hockey, football, baseball and track. He was proud of his grandsons and their accomplishments and shared pictures of them with everyone.

Roger's faith was an important part of his life. While in Fergus Falls, he was active at First Lutheran Church and most recently was a member at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church of Battle Lake, MN where he was on the property committee and very involved in church activities.

Rog's life is summed up well in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

What is Success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Eleanor Johnson; brother Donald Johnson; in-laws, Leonard and Ruby Lammers; and dear friend Nick Noack.

He is survived by his wife, Gail Johnson of Battle Lake, MN; daughter, Melissa (Eric) Babolian of Fergus Falls, MN; grandsons, Owen, Griffin and Keaton Babolian of Fergus Falls, MN; brother-in-law John (Shari) Lammers of Dilworth, MN; sister-in-law Pam (Brian) Larson of Fargo, ND; nephews, Matt (Amy) Lammers of Moorhead, MN; Adam (Cassie) Larson of Eagen, MN; nieces Angie (Ryan) Babolian of Moorhead, MN; Lindsey Lammers (David Winter) of Dilworth, MN; Amy (Jeff) McKay of Fargo, ND; Allison (Zach) Bertschi of Mapleton, ND; 6 great-nephews, 7 great-nieces, and lifelong friend Jerry Alstead.

Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume one-hour prior to the service at the church. To honor Roger's love for the Otters, the family would like everyone to wear maroon and gold or their favorite Otter clothing to the visitation on Tuesday.

Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church in rural Battle Lake, MN.

Clergy: Reverend Ben Durbin

Interment: Eagle Lake Cemetery, rural Battle Lake, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com