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Obituaries
Walter Jalmer Johnson Jr.
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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
http://www.legacy.com/StarTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=115375032 8/12/2008