Keith Glenn Johnson

Keith Glenn Johnson, 68, passed away after a long 5 ½ battle with cancer on Wednesday, July 25th at his home in Alexandria with his wife and daughter by his side.

Keith was born on May 17th (Syttnde Mai), 1957 to Kenneth and Gudrun (Botner) in Alexandria. He grew up on a dairy farm near Garfield. He attended school in Brandon and graduated fifty years ago in 1975. After high school, he attended Detroit Lakes Technical College for Small Engine Repair. His first job after tech school was at A&T Supply in Moorhead as a machinist repairing equipment.

On December 17th, 1977, Keith married Debora Erickson at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Keith switched careers to Hospital maintenance when he went to work for St. Lukes Hospital. Together, they welcomed three children, all born in Fargo, North Dakota. After ten years of buying out of state Minnesota hunting and fishing licenses, Keith moved his family back to central Minnesota. He worked for a school in Barett for a couple years, but he missed working in a hospital, so he moved his family for the last time to Sauk Centre to become the Director of Plant Operations at St. Michaels's Hospital. Before retiring in 2020, he worked for 18 months at Alomere Hospital in Alexandria.

After retirement, Keith and Deb traveled all over the United States, mostly by car. He loved driving and they visited 39 states. During the summers, he spent most of his time at their season camper near Ottertail, Minnesota. It was his happy place. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing there. 

Keith was a storyteller, told lots of jokes, and quoted movie lines in just about every conversation. Music was his life, and he passed on that love to his children. He loved all genres of music and loved going to concerts. His love of baseball was inherited from his father. Going to Twins games, especially with his children and grandchildren, was the highlight of his summers. Riding his Harley Davidson was also a great joy in his life. Keith bought and read the Star Tribune every day. And he loved watching TV. The evening news, Gunsmoke, Western movies and series were some of his favorites.

Keith was a member of the Lions Club in Sauk Centre for many years and enjoyed being a clown in the parades. He was also a member of the Minnesota Health Care Engineer's Association and won the MN Health Care Engineer of the year award in 2001.

When asked what his greatest accomplishments were, Keith listed: following Jesus, his family, obtaining his Chief Boilers license, and being on the Sauk Centre City Council for 13 years.

Keith loved his family. He was so proud of his 3 children and 5 grandchildren. His 2 great-granddaughters were his goal to keep fighting cancer for as long as he could.

Being 100% Scandinavian, Keith was stubborn and bravely fought his cancer with the help of his CentraCare Hospice Team. His family is very grateful for the wonderful care they have given him for the past 5 months.

Keith is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Deb: 3 children: Shawn (Bob Olson), Ashley (Patrick Amelung), and Glenn Keith Johnson; 5 grandchildren: Gavin, Corbin and Luca Olson, Libby (Kolten Kuhlmann) and Isaac Amelung; 2 great-granddaughters, Westie and Oakley Kuhlmann; sister, Renee Caye; brothers-in-law: Ray (Vicki) Erickson, Eric (Sonia) Erickson, Arlyn (Gail) Hustad; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Carol and Harold Erickson; and sister-in-law, Alice Erickson Hustad.

A Celebration of Life for Keith will be held at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM. A public visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Friends are welcome to come and share their stories and condolences following the service at the Bear Trap in Sauk Centre beginning at 5:00 PM. 

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MEMORIALS ARE PREFERRED TO CENTRACARE HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE.