Donald Eugene Johnson, age 95 of Detroit Lakes, MN passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 at his home in Detroit Lakes.

Donald was born in Detroit Lakes to Henry and Myrtle Johnson on March 22, 1931. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1949. He joined the Army and played his clarinet in the Army band in Japan during the Korean War. While there he met and married Mineko (Mickey) Sugiyama in 1954. They returned to Detroit Lakes where he farmed and raised turkeys. Don served on the Board of Directors for West Central Turkey Inc. He was very active at the First Baptist Church, serving as Sunday School Teacher, Awana Leader, Deacon, and Trustee. He retired from farming in 1992 and developed and operated River Hills Golf Course. Mickey passed in 2014.

Don played clarinet and saxophone in several area bands, including the Lakes Area Concert Band, Park Rapids Band, Ulen Centennial Band, and Doc and the Scrubs. While playing saxophone in the Lakes Area Community Band he met and married his second wife, Jane Wasvick in 2018. They enjoyed playing in bands together and lived in Detroit Lakes until his death at home.

His is survived by his wife Jane; children, Richard (Jodi Thompson), David (Laurie Pletscher), Jeffrey (Josephine), Gregory (Jennifer), and Rebecca (Jay) Debertin; grandchildren, Mary Johnson, Nolan Johnson, Matthew Johnson (Holly Carlson), Callie Johnson (Tanner Martin), Chandra Johnson (Harley Ellingson), Anne Debertin, Lauren (Geoff) Ganzman, Julia Debertin, Tristan Johnson, and Aaron Johnson; sister, Janice; stepchildren, Steven (Teresa) Wasvick, Tiffany Wasvick, and Stephanie Wasvick; and step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mickey, and son, Thomas.

Memorial Services will be on Thursday April 9, 2026; 2:00 p.m. at the West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lakes Area Community Concert Band, the Vergas Looneys Relay for Life, or the charity of choice.

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