RUSHFORD -- The funeral for James Harland "Harlan" Johnson will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Rushford Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Roger Michaelson officiating. Burial will be in Community Cemetery in Choice, Minn.
Mr. Johnson, 82, of Rushford, a retired carpenter, died of melanoma cancer Wednesday (Sept. 17, 2003) at his home.
Born June 2, 1921, in Preble Township, Fillmore County, he attended Choice School and graduated from Fillmore County schools in Preston in July 1936. As a child, he attended First Lutheran Church in Mabel and Hauge Evangelical Lutheran Church. In October, 1942, he was drafted into the Army, served with K Company of the 127th Infantry in New Guinea, was gunner in a field company and saw duty in the Philippines, where he participated in the 118-day assault on the Bagulo Trail of Luzon. He was wounded in March, 1944, on Luzon Island, spent nine months in a New Guinea Hospital and received the Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge in November 1945, he returned to Fillmore County and farmed with a brother for seven years. Beginning in 1952, he was a carpenter for Himlie Construction Co. for several years and then a carpenter for Ralph Scharmer and Sons Inc. for 24 years. On Aug. 30, 1968, he married Delaine Johnson at Rushford Lutheran Church. Mr. Johnson was a member of Rushford Lutheran Church, a quarter master and commander of the Rushford VFW, a charter member of the Mabel VFW and a 58-year member of the Mabel American Legion. He served on the Rushford Fire Department for 24 years.
Survivors include his wife; a stepdaughter, Fay (Charles) Olson of Spring Grove; a stepson, Gary Dean Davidson of Minneapolis; three stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Allen (Euncie) of Mabel; and a sister, Charlotte (James) Slifka of Medford, Minn. A sister and a brother preceded him in death.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Hoff Funeral Homes-Rushford Chapel and an hour before the service Friday at the church.
