Kendall Richard Johnson

Kendall Johnson, age 96, passed away January 5, 2024. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 10 and for one hour prior to service at church on Thursday. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, January 11 at Hayward Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Hayward Lutheran Cemetery. 

Kendall Richard Johnson was born on February 26, 1927, in Hayward, MN to Koren and Evangeline (Esse) Johnson. He grew up on a farm south of Hayward and graduated from Albert Lea High School. After High School, Kendall joined the Navy and served during World War II. When his military service was complete, he returned home where started his career as a tractor repairman working for Massey Harrison. On December 27, 1953, he was united in marriage to Lila Bothum. From this union, two children were born. The family made their home in the Albert Lea area where Kendall worked several jobs. He later became a design engineer for Universal Milking Division until the time of his retirement. He was known for designing the automatic take off system for milking cows. 

Kendall loved to tinker with many building projects like additions to houses, decks, fixing motors, and go-carts just to name a few. He loved designing and creating things. He also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, especially “Feffer”, bowling, watching old movies, genealogy and spending time on his computer. He especially enjoyed the time spent with his family. 

He was a kind and passionate man and would do anything for his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed life to the fullest and always had a great sense of humor to the very end of his life. 

Kendall left behind many stories and memories for all of us to cherish forever. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Lila (Bothum) Johnson; children, Paul (Patti) Johnson, Peggy Manges; grandchildren, Amanda (Todd Anderson) Smith; Ryan (Amanda Arendt Kraemer) Brech, Joshua Johnson, Brody (Ashley) Johnson, James R. Manges, Joshua (Kelly Krieger) Manges; Gary (Sarah) Stueven, Andy (Laura) Stueven, Eric Stueven; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Daniel (Sonja) Johnson and many nieces and nephews. 

Kendall is preceded in death by his parents, Koren and Evangeline Johnson; Brother, Galen Johnson; son-in-law, Richard Manges; grandson-in-law, James Smith.