Gordon C. Johnson

Mankato Mortuary 1001 N. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001 (507) 388-2202 Gordon C. Johnson, longtime West Mankato elementary teacher, died Wednesday August 5, 2015 at his home. Funeral Service will be 11:00 am Monday August 10, 2015 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. John Petersen officiating. Visitation will be 4pm - 7pm Sunday August 9, 2015 at the church and one hour prior to the service. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are preferred to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato Hospice, or the donor's choice. Gordon C. (Henningsgaard) Johnson was born at Amboy, MN; Sterling Township, to Stephen Alfred (Henningsgaard) Johnson and Belinda Clara (Velta) Johnson on May 16, 1928. He was the youngest son of a family of eight children. Gordon attended the Ridge School, District #32 through the 8th grade and graduated from the Amboy High School in 1946. He graduated with BS and MS degrees from Mankato State University. He furthered his education at the University of Colorado, Instituto Technologico in Mexico, and the University of Oslo, Norway. He was united in marriage to Pat Hondl in Dickinson, ND and they later divorced. In 1950 Gordon entered the Army and served during the Korean Conflict with the rank of Corporal. He began teaching at country schools in North and South Dakota and in 1955 began teaching 6th grade at Roosevelt Elementary School for the rest of his career. Gordon was honored to be selected as the Fullbright Exchange Teacher to England in 1960-1961. Gordon had a lifelong interest in the environment. He attended the Audubon Camp in Sarona, Wisconsin which led to his development of the Jr. Audubon Club at Roosevelt School. It continued as long as he taught, however in later years it became the After-school Ecology Club. He also had a love for the aged. Gordon developed the Grandma-Grandpa program, whereby students adopted a grandparent at the Mankato Lutheran Home. This was an after-school program which continued for 19 years. He felt that a lot of special skills were being lost so he organized the VIP (Volunteer Instruction Program), in which residents from nursing homes would come to Roosevelt School to teach a skill. Some of these skills included wood carving, tatting, crocheting, Norwegian language, rock collecting, and sea shell identification. He was a certified Blue Earth County Master Gardener and volunteer coordinator at the Mankato Lutheran Home, now known as Pathstone. At that time he volunteered and designed the landscaping for the first assisted living addition. Gordon was especially proud of his Norwegian heritage and was a co-founder of the Mankato Norsk Laget, which participated in the first International Festivals held in the Mankato Mall. Early retirement from teaching provided the opportunity to become involved with the ISJ Hospice program. He wrote and published the first hospice newsletter and devoted many years to collecting canes, crutches, walkers, and wheel chairs; all provided free to hospice patients. Gordon received the Sertoma Club's Service to Mankind Award, the Jefferson Good Neighbor Award, and the Board of Christian Ministry Volunteer of the year award. He enjoyed being of service to others. Gordon was a long time member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and served on various committees. Since 1992 he has been employed by the Hy-Vee food stores as Master Gardener and Garden Center Manager. Survivors a sister, Arlyss B. (Peter) Dirkx; sister-in-law, Leora Johnson; nieces; nephews; and innumerable friends. Gordon is also survived by his special friend & caregiver, Dennis Soule. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Corliss, John, Orval, Orin, Lyle, and Russell; and nephew, Dennis Dirkx.