Willis L. Johnson

Willis L. Johnson of Hazel Run died peacefully on October 27, 2025 at the Granite Falls Care Center at the age of 96.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at Hazel Run Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Monday, November 3, 2025 at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Granite Falls with a prayer service at 5:45pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Hazel Run Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund or a charity of your choice.

Willis was born on March 3, 1929 to Willie and Esther (Krogstad) Johnson of Hazel Run. He attended country school and embraced farm life from an early age. After spending his early years at Roadside Country School, he attended the rest of his schooling in Granite Falls. There were many stories of his high school shenanigans that included his brother Floyd and future brother-in-law Donald Ueland. He was a proud member of the first GFHS hockey team to make it to the state championships.

Willis married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor (Ueland) Johnson on December 9, 1950. He was drafted into the US Army in 1951 following the outbreak of the Korean War and was stationed in Germany where Eleanor joined him and served as a secretary in the civil service. Although he requested a mechanic role, he was assigned as a cook instead, a role in which his future children would reap the benefits. Many lifetime friendships were formed during their time overseas.

Upon his return from service his farm role and family grew. Willis and Eleanor had four children: Dean, DeEtte, Shawn and Shannon, all who had a role on the farm in some capacity. Farm animals and chores were plentiful with cows, pigs, goats, horses and chickens in addition to dogs and cats. In his chicken “hey-day” he had 2 floors of the barn full of laying hens in addition to several chicken houses of broilers.

There was also lots of family fun on the farm, where cousins visited regularly and go-carts, motorcycles and horses were there to explore at early ages. Family RV trips were regularly scheduled with friends and family.

Willis and Eleanor were “active” members of the Hazel Run Fiddle Footers square dance club as were Arlyss and Duane Jacobson. They enjoyed planning RV “Bounder” Rallies, Krogstad Family Reunions, Gourmet Club dinners and traveling abroad to visit DeEtte and Clayton in Panama, Italy and Sicily. Willis and Eleanor were married for 49 years before her passing.

In addition to farming Willis had a passion for flying airplanes and playing practical jokes on people. His creative talents were also his hobbies. A multitude of his cabinet making, woodworking and stained glass projects were custom made for family and friends. Many family members inherited his passions and became farmers, pilots, woodworkers, stained glass/mosaic artists and most all –pranksters.

Willis married Arlyss Jacobson in 2000. They enjoyed close to 25 years of travel and adventure including winters in Arizona and numerous RV trips to WA, TX, CA, OH, SC and FL with two trips to Alaska and a Hawaiian cruise. Arlyss became an accomplished RV driver after Willis began developing vision issues, and their trips continued until just a few years ago. They enjoyed visiting relatives and friends, going to parades, playing cards and driving their refurbished golf “car” to the popcorn stand. Willis attended numerous parades and performances supporting Arlyss’ musical talents in the Minnesota Over 60 Band. They remained active members of Hazel Run Lutheran Church.

Willis was proud to be a 70 years member of the American Legion. He stayed active in the Veteran’s Association as well.

Willis is survived by his wife, Arlyss; children: Dean (Jennifer) Johnson, DeEtte (Clayton) Swalstad, Shawn (Charlie) Hipp, Shannon (Laurie) Johnson; 8 grandchildren: Kirsten Tjosaas, Kenton(Jessie) Johnson, Naomi (Guy) Rowlands, Mara (John) Desmedt, Carl (Heather) Hipp, Ryan (Christen) Hipp, Tom (Tracie) Johnson, Dan (Arlene) Johnson; great-grandchildren: Kaiden, Mason, Carter, Hallie, Rebecca, Tyler, Nathan, Austin, Emily, Keith, LeeAnn, Gabby, Hayden, Skylar, Connor, Amber, Bailey, Lily; step-sons: Mike (Marcia) Jacobson, Brad (Barb) Jacobson; 4 step-grandchildren: Michell (Lance) Craig, Miranda (Jon) Rychlinski, Brett (Carolyn) Jacobson, Barry Jacobson; 3 step great- grandchildren: Rylee, Carson, Kennedy and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: first wife, Eleanor Johnson; granddaughter, LeeAnn Swalstad; great granddaughter, Maddie Johnson; and a brother, Floyd Johnson.