Cemetery RecordChanhassen Pioneer Cemetery
Lot 87.4-1 update Date 8/11/2008
Grave Status Sold -Occupied
Place of Birth Bowman, North Dakota
Place of Death Minnetonka, MN
Age 88 years
Marital Status Married
Mother Winnifred O'Brien
Father Walter H.Johnson, Sr.
Children Nancy Johnson -Highfill, Judy Johnson Bouts, & Walter Johnson
Occupation Journalist
Military Status None
Baptized
Occupant Information
Name
Walter Jalmer Johnson, Jr.
Sex
Male
Social Sec. No.
Date Purchased
8/10/2008
Amount Fee Paid
$200.00
Date Int Fee Paid
8/13/2008
Interment Fee
$50.00
Wife
Spouse Information
Name
Phyllis "Penny"
Johnson
Next of Kin Information
Name
Phyllis "Penny"
Johnson
Relationship
Wife
Lot 87.4-1 Update Date 8/11/2008
Name WalterJalmer Johnson, Jr.
Comments/History Walter is buried in a casket and Penny will eventually be cremated and buried in
the same grave.
Walter Jalmer Johnson Jr. 's obituary was published in the August 12, 2008
edition of the Star Tribune and read as follows:
Johnson, Walter Jalmer, Jr. Age 88, of Minnetonka, our beloved husband, father
and Papa, passed at his home on Aug. 9, 2008. He was born to Walter and
Winnifred (O'Brien) John- son on Sept. 5, 1919, in Bowman, N.D. Walter
graduated from the Univ. of Missouri's School of Journalism in 1941 and became
a sports writer for the Superior Telegram of Superior, Wisc. He then moved to the
Duluth Herald Tribune. In 1943, he married Phyllis (Penny) Lorraine Haberman in
Mpls. After a brief career move to the Omaha World Herald, he joined the
Minneapolis Star as a staff reporter and feature writer. After a few years, he joined
the editorial writing staff. He received numerous journalistic honors, including The
Missouri Writers Guild Award in journalism and a fellowship from the New York
Herald Tribune, allowing him to travel to post -World War II Japan, Korea and
Philippines to report on conditions there. Walt left the paper to pursue his dream --
running his own paper. He pioneered two weeklies, The Maverick (of Excelsior)
and The Wayzata News. A true renaissance man-- Walt's interests and talents
included art, travel, birding, story -telling, pranks, tennis, music, figure skating,
writing, history, baseball, football, genealogy and theatre. All of which he shared
generously with his family and community. Walt's life modeled the integrity and
decency he wished for the world. Walt is survived by the love of his life, his wife,
Penny, daughters, Nancy Johnson -Highfill (Dean), Judy Johnson Bouts (Richard);
son, Walter Johnson (Annie) and nine grandchildren. Funeral service,
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm, Congregational Church of Excelsior,
471 - 3rd Street, Excelsior, MN (952-474-5919). A reception will immedietly follow
the service at church. Interment Chanhassen Pioneer Cemetery, Chanhassen,
MN. In honor of Walter, memorials are preferred to Parent Television Council, PO
Box 1855, Merrifield, VA 22116-9624 Huber Funeral & Cremation Services
Excelsior Chapel 952-474-9595 www.huberfunerals.com