Kenneth Carrol Johnson
January 27, 1946 ~ June 13, 2026
Kenneth Carrol Johnson—affectionately known to family and friends as Ken, Kenny, Jive, and Col J—passed away on June 13, 2026, following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Lewy Body Dementia.
Born on January 27, 1946, to Jim and Frances (Beaver) Johnson in Mankato, Minnesota, Ken spent his early years in Mankato before the family moved to Eagle Lake. As the big brother to Steve and Tom, Ken was often the ringleader of their childhood adventures—and occasionally the source of their trouble. Fortunately, he could usually charm his way out of any mischief with a quick smile and a funny remark. He attended St. Clair High School, where he was highly engaged in student activities, lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track, and was crowned Homecoming King in 1963.
After attending Mankato State for a year, Ken felt the call to serve and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Twentynine Palms, California, until his determination to deploy led him to famously forge his Master Sergeant’s signature while he was on leave. This successfully led to Ken securing a transfer to Vietnam in 1967–1968, where he was assigned under the Psychological Operations (PSYOP) division of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). During his tour, he served in areas of Saigon, Ben Tre, and numerous field posts in the Mekong Delta, earning a Bronze Star for his actions as a Sergeant during the TET Offensive.
Following his Marine Corps service, Ken returned to Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts and Math from Winona State. On September 5, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Faye Froehlich. Ken began a dedicated teaching career at St. Peter High School in 1972, where he taught math and industrial arts, coached high school tennis, basketball, and junior high football, and served as the lead teacher negotiator for several contracts over 12 years. During this time, he also earned his Master’s degree from Mankato State.
Ken’s commitment to his country never wavered. He re-enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard, attending the Minnesota Military Academy (Officer Candidate School) and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with Class 19 in 1975. He transitioned to full-time service with the Minnesota National Guard in 1984, dedicating himself to the mission until his retirement as a Colonel in 2001, concluding over 33 years of proud military service highlighted with his service with the Recruiting Battalion, 682nd Combat Engineers, 34th Infantry Division, and the State Headquarters. Among his most cherished military memories were the honors of s) andg in his own family members: enlisting his son Jesse into the Minnesota Army National Guard (1997), enlisting his niece Kathleen into the Minnesota Air National Guard (1998), commissioning his daughter Jana and son-in-law Paul into the U.S. Air Force (2001), and commissioning his son Jesse (2003).
An expert craftsman, Ken built his family’s first home in St. Peter in 1977. In retirement, he applied those same skills to remodeling the family cabin in Longville, Minnesota, and took part-time projects in the area, a trade that allowed him to meet new people and stay active in the community.
To those who knew him, Ken was an exceptional teacher, coach, and mentor. He always made time to listen, provide sound advice, and support those who needed it most. Together, he and Faye taught their children and grandchildren the importance of putting others first, staying humble, and being kind. Ken’s quick wit and love of practical jokes kept every room he entered lighthearted and joyful.
He was an engaged and supportive father and grandfather. He served as Scoutmaster for his son Jesse’s Troop 414, coached youth football, basketball, and baseball, and actively supported his daughter Jana in Girl Scouts. He never missed a chance to watch his kids—and later, his grandchildren—compete in sports and activities.
An avid outdoorsman, Ken taught his family to hunt, fish, gather, and respect the natural beauty of Minnesota. Countless memories were made on Woman Lake and Long Lake in Longville, Minnesota, where Ken could always find the fish (even before modern technology), call in the ducks on Townline Lake with his son Jesse, and harvest the first deer of the season on the family hunting land. He loved the simple things in life: golfing, antiquing, picking berries, taking pontoon rides, relaxing at the lake, enjoying three o’clock lunches on the patio, a cold Dr. Pepper or Hamm’s beer, swimming off the dock, and spending time with family. He delighted in cooking fish for breakfast, watching hummingbirds in the summer, and playing a good game of cribbage—a tradition his family will carry on, always remembering his advice,” don’t split your runs to feed the crib” and that “it’s all about the pegging”.
To honor his legacy – the family asks you to take the time to listen to others. When on the lake or in the woods, pause, and appreciate mother nature. Be humble and kind to others. Lastly, appreciate the time to teach and share the experiences with others…especially when fishing and hunting.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Fran Johnson; his in-laws, Larry and Wanda Froehlich; and his sisters-in-law, Andrea Froehlich Roessler and Gail Froehlich.
He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Faye Froehlich Johnson of Forest Lake; his daughter, Jana Johnson (Paul) Zwilling of Santa Maria, CA, and their children, Abigail Grace, Madelyn Marie, and Lukas Lawrance; his son, Jesse Johnson (Denise Zlab-Johnson) of Forest Lake, MN, and their daughter, Hanna Kate Zlab. He is also survived by his brothers, Steve (Mary Beth Brown) Johnson of Marshall, MN, and Tom Johnson of Mankato, MN; brother-in-law Curt Roessler of Minnesota Lake; first cousins Lonna Beaver Stork and Richard Steel; three nieces, four nephews, eight great-nieces, four great-nephews, numerous Johnson cousins, friends in St. Peter, and the many men and women he served alongside in the Minnesota Army National Guard.
Ken’s life will be celebrated with a gathering from 3-6 PM Wednesday, July 15th with a time of sharing & military honors at 5 PM at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Interment will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Minnesota Military Family Foundation, 620 Mendelssohn Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55427.
Services
Gathering of Family & Friends: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Roberts Family Funeral Home
555 Centennial Drive SW
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-4422
www.robertsfamilyfh.com
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2026-07-15 15:00:00
2026-07-15 06:00:00
KennethCarrolJohnsonGathering of Family & Friends
Gathering of Family & Friends
555 Centennial Drive SW ,Forest Lake, MN 55025
Time of Sharing: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 5:00 pm
Roberts Family Funeral Home
555 Centennial Drive SW
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(651) 464-4422
www.robertsfamilyfh.com
Add to My Calendar
America/Chicago
2026-07-15 17:00:00
2026-07-15 17:00:00
KennethCarrolJohnsonTime of Sharing
Time of Sharing
555 Centennial Drive SW ,Forest Lake, MN 55025
On behalf of the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225, we give thanks for Ken’s military service to our country in Marine Corps and many years in the MN Army NG where we served together.