Rick Johnson

Rick G. Johnson, 71, Detroit Lakes, died on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Rick was born in Fargo, ND on March 5, 1952, a son of the late Gordon and Berniece (Hahn) Johnson.  He attended elementary school in N. Fargo and graduated from Fargo North High School.  He was active in the drama program and acted in productions including “Fiddler on the Roof” while attending North.  He continued his education at Moorhead State also majoring in drama and acting in several productions at MSC.

Photography was an early hobby and he used it throughout his life to record events. Sail boating at the family lake home at Bog Cormorant was also a hobby, and Rick owned several sailboats over the years.

Rick worked in electronics in Fargo for a time and then ventured to the Northridge, CA area to sell electronics. In 1994, he experienced an earthquake while living there, which changed his spirit.  He then moved back to Minnesota. He worked at a furniture store in Red Lake Falls, and also did some cooking at a nearby casino.  He later settled in the Detroit Lakes area working at The Fireside as well as KDLM, a Detroit Lakes radio station where he was a weekend radio personality.  He also worked as a substitute teacher.

Rick was a puppeteer and practiced the trade at Wisconsin Dells one summer after building his own puppet.  He was a proud member of the DL Masons, and one of his favorite services of the Lodge was playing Santa at Christmas time.  He was a pro! Rick was also a member of the United Methodist Church and sang in the choir.

Rick is survived by his brother-in-law, Glen Sitz, Audubon, his nephews: Daniel and Michael (Becky) Sitz and cousins: Jim, Don, Craig and Deb (Mike) Hahn.

Rick was preceded in death by his father, Gordon, his mother, Berniece, his brother, Rand and his sister, Nancy.