Clark Johnson

Clark Richard Johnson was born February 19, 1930 in Kellogg, MN, the son of Peter and Jennie (Bjerkhagen) Johnson. He was raised in Kellogg where he attended school.  At age 17 Clark joined the United States Army. After three years of service in the army he transferred to the United States Air Force and served his country for nine more years. In the service Clark worked in the motor pool. He had the opportunity to serve in Guam, Alaska and Washington, D.C.

On February 26, 1955 Clark was united in marriage to Lois Kaelke. Following his discharge from the Air Force the couple made their home in Minnesota. The couple lived at Carlos, MN for about ten years. They were blessed with two children, Paul and Peggy. Clark started working for Ambassador Meats as an independent wholesale meat and golden Plump chicken salesman. He became known in the area as the Chicken Man. Well after his retirement from the business in 1996 he was known as the Chicken Man. In his last days, as he entered St. William’s Living Center, the staff at the center greeted him as the Chicken Man. Clark and Lois moved to Miltona, MN where they lived for several years before finally moving to Parkers Prairie, MN.

Clark was a member of the United Methodist Church in Alexandria and later transferred his membership to United Methodist Church in Deer Creek. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Clark liked spending time watching television; his favorites were westerns, Gunsmoke and RFD TV gospel music. He also liked watching NASCAR, football, baseball, boxing and wrestling. In his younger days he enjoyed camping and snowmobiling.

Clark loved meeting people and he loved being the Chicken Man. His ability to visit and share his great sense of humor helped him in his job and in life. He always had a smile on his face and a smile was all he asked from others. Seeing others smile brought him joy; it is one reason that he and Lois often played Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

On Saturday, August 10, 2019 the Chicken Man died at the age of eighty-nine years. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Palmer, Vernon, Gust, Carl, Clarence, Lester, John and Peter Johnson, Mabel Gander, Louise Malmberg, Jennie Rupkalvis and Pearl Schones. Clark is survived by his wife, Lois Johnson of Parkers Prairie; son Paul Johnson of Miltona; daughter Peggy Kloehn and husband, Doyle, of Nelson; grandchildren, Christopher Johnson, Tina Washington, Mitchell Kloehn and Mandy Leesch; and great grandchildren, Radja Williams, Tyra Johnson, Ayanna Jackson, Christopher Washington, Jr., and Andrew Leesch.

A committal service at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery at Camp Ripley will be held later.