Ralph Johnson, 89, of Napoleon, ND, passed away September 6, 2021 in Staples, MN. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 14th at 11:00 AM at Napoleon United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 13th from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Napoleon. Burial will be held at the Napoleon City Cemetery.

Ralph Raymond Johnson was born November 19, 1931 to John and Maren (Tveten) Johnson on the family farm 12 miles  northeast of Napoleon. Ralph was the tenth of eleven children born on the  Johnson homestead. He grew up working alongside his father and older brothers on the farm, and after marrying Viola Schaffer on January 8, 1953, he began raising his family on the same homestead. Ralph and Viola lived on the farm until moving into  Napoleon in 1966. Ralph left farming in the late 70's and went to work as a union carpenter traveling  throughout the United States until retiring and returning to Napoleon in the late 90's.

Ralph and Viola were active and influential in the lives of their 10 grandchildren who lived in MN, OR, and CO. They made frequent trips for extended visits, never missing a special occasion or event. Ralph and Viola made friends throughout the country, but his heart was rooted to his life on the farm. There he often spent whole days on various projects after returning to his home. In the quiet and    solitude, he liked to putter around on small engines and  woodworking. He also enjoyed bowling, skiing at age 70, playing cards, watching local sports and dancing with his wife. He even got a chance to attend a Mollie B. Polka Party and had the privilege to dance with Mollie B.

Ralph was active in his church and served in various ministry activities as an expression of his faith. He was a devoted Bible reader and enjoyed a trip to the Holy Land to explore the places he read about. Ralph was a man deeply committed to living his life in accordance with his faith in his Savior and the hope of life he now enjoys forever.

Ralph is survived by his children, LeRoy (Linda) Johnson, Delano, MN, Debbie (Joshua) Cermenelli, Napoleon and Shari Weber, Thornton, CO; 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; and his   sister, Bonnie Olson, Chicago, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his 7 sisters and 2 brothers, his wife, Viola in 2017; and one granddaughter, Dorene Joy.