James "Jim" J. Johnson

James “Jim” J. Johnson, age 70, of Mankato, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato due to complications of diabetes and heart disease.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 8, 2019 at the Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Monday. Interment will be at Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato.

He was born on May 20, 1948 to Joseph Harvey and Dorothy (Kruger) Johnson in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He spent his early years living in many states, with his dad being a career military man. Jim and his mom settled in Hampton, Virginia for several years while they ran a boarding house “Shady Rest”. In 1966, they moved to Mankato.

Jim was always a people person and enjoyed working in retail, always ready with a good joke or story. He also loved playing guitar and he taught guitar lessons for many years. Jim was a lifelong Elvis fan and enjoyed watching professional wrestling, especially with his grandsons, Gabe and Willy. Above all else, he loved spending time with his family.

Jim was united in marriage with Janann Bublitz on July 13, 1968. Together they raised three children; Rodney Johnson, Sherry (Jerry) Keating, and Chrissy (Jeff) Rasmussen. He also has several grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren as well as his mother, Dorothy Springer.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph and stepfather, Mert.