Dwight L Johnson

Dwight L. Johnson, age 88, of Glenwood, formerly of New London and Willmar, died Friday, May 2, 2025, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 8th at Hope Community Church in Glenwood (Central Square Bldg. - use 3rd Ave entrance due to construction) with Pastor Kelly Mahoney officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM and run until the time of service. Interment will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN. For those unable to attend the funeral in person, it will be livestreamed at https://hopeminnewaska.org/pages/livestream. For convenience, we've included a link below in the service information area of this page. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Dwight LeRoy Johnson was born on April 4,1937, to Roy Lawrence and Ruby Marie (Hallberg) Johnson at their home in New London, MN. Dwight and his younger brother, Jerry, had many paper routes in New London and helped their Uncle Oliver on his farm.  He attended school at “Old Grey” and graduated from New London High School in 1956.  In high school he participated in choir, school plays, and many sports.  Dwight was a 1000 plus point basketball player. He attended St Cloud State University and worked for Central States Construction. Dwight met Carol J. Luchtenburg while he was working in Fulda, MN in 1957.  They were married in 1960 at Slayton --- 65 years ago!! 

In 1958, Dwight enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Because of his height he was sent to Air Police School. He then worked flight-line and missile security for the Strategic Command at Schilling Air Force Base at Salina, Kansas. He also helped provide security for President Eisenhower whenever he was in Kansas or Alaska. Dwight’s overseas duty consisted of three trips to the territory of Alaska before it was a state. While living in Kansas, Dwight and Carol had two sons, David and Douglas, born at Schilling. After Dwight’s honorable discharge in 1963, the family returned to central Minnesota. Not finding any policework, Dwight went to work for Erickson’s Furniture in Willmar as a carpet installer. Later he went into business for himself, opening Johnson’s Carpet Service and Carpet Showroom of Willmar. After moving to Willmar, their daughter, Denise, and son, Dean, were born and for two years “adopted” son Randy Berrington from Canada joined the family.

Following his retirement in 1994, Dwight embarked on a new career involving driving, which he loved. He drove bus for Willmar Schools. Kandiyohi Bus Company and Palmer Bus. He was known as “Grandpa Bus Driver” by the preschool kids. He also was a newspaper bundle route driver, delivering newspapers at night from Willmar to South Dakota towns.

Dwight loved to take his family and friends on camping vacations, visiting 45 of the 50 states and 7 Canadian provinces. Dwight and Carol drove to Alaska seven times to work summers at Denali National Park and tour the state south to north following the pipeline. Dwight drove tour bus at the park and Carol worked in a gift shop. Later, they vacationed many times in Alaska visiting their favorite spots and seeing old friends.

In 2007, Dwight and Carol built a house in a new development near Glenwood to be close to family. Over the years Dwight enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s church, school, and especially sporting events, always sitting in the top row of the bleachers. Dwight also liked gardening, mowing lawn, blowing snow, and watching birds, especially purple martins. He was proud to be able to say he had the most martin houses in the neighborhood. Dwight had the ability to fix things and a tool for every job, all of which were kept spotless!!  He also gave his grandchildren driver’s training!!

Dwight was confirmed and baptized at the Grace Free Church of New London. While living in Willmar Dwight and his family were members of the Willmar Free Church and after moving to Glenwood, they became members of Hope Community Church of Starbuck. Dwight enjoyed sharing his Christian faith. He was both genuine and generous and even though quiet, loved his family very much.

Dwight is survived by his wife, Carol Johnson of Glenwood; son, David of Kansas City, MO. and David’s daughters Amy Johnson and Amanda Johnson; son, Douglas of  Ashburn, VA;  daughter, Denise (Eric) Jensen of Glenwood and their children Gavin (Kayla), Garrett (McKenna), Grant (Aiden), and Grace; son, Dean Johnson of Kandiyohi and Dean’s daughter, Zoe Johnson; “adopted son”, Randy (Monica) Berrington and family of Winnipeg, CAN; Carol’s sisters and their families, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ruby Marie Johnson; his brother and sister-in-law, Gerald “Jerry” and Ruthy Johnson; and parents-in-law, Leonard and Nancy Luchtenburg.

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