James V (Jim) Johnson, 88, of Fertile, MN, died on March 8, 2015, at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile, MN. He was born August 26, 1926, the son of Bror Willhelm and Matilda "Tillie" (Peterson) Johnson in Fertile. He grew up in Fertile, MN and graduated from Fertile High School in 1944. While in high school, he was active in baseball and basketball. After high school, Jim served in the Merchant Marines for two years.

Jim married his lifelong sweetheart, Beverly Narum, on June 29, 1949, at the Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, MN. From this marriage, they had three sons: Keith, Dale and Ross. Jim enjoyed spending time with his sons, playing basketball, fishing, hunting, was a boy scout leader, and built a 4 hole golf course at the fairgrounds. Jim, Bev and their family had a cabin at Maple Lake where Jim was known for pulling many water skiers over the lake for hours.

Jim owned a gas station on Main Street for many years, which had previously been owned by his dad. After selling the gas station, he opened "Jim's Jungle". Jim was also a member of the Lions's Club and the Elk's.

Jim and Bev enjoyed entertaining, playing cards, dancing, golfing, and making lefse. They wintered for many years in Florida, where Jim continued to enjoy his love of fishing and golfing. In the summer months, they returned to Fertile. Jim loved attending the Polk County Fair, eating at the Ladies Aid booth and visiting with friends and family.

Surviving Jim are his sons, Keith (Dawn) Johnson from Prescott Valley, AZ; Dale (Coralee) Johnson from Detroit Lakes, MN; and Ross (Roslyn) Johnson from Portland, ND; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jeff) Hallen from Hettinger, ND; Stephanie (Nathan Hejtmanek) Johnson from Lidgerwood, ND; Brandon Johnson from Fargo, ND; great-grandchildren, Jack and Jenna Hallen; sister Evelyn Erickson from Fargo, ND; three sisters-in-law, Yvonne Fischer from Brookings, SD; Lovilla DeCicco from Fort Meyers, FL: Evangelyn (Manley) Hillstand from Mahnomen, MN; brother-in-law Elwood Narum from Burnsville, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends from Fertile, MN and Englewood, FL. He was preceded in death by wife, Bev, July 28, 2013; his parents, four brother-in-laws and one niece.

Memorial services will be on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 11 am in the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be one hour before the services at the church.

Burial will be in the Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.

Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home
Fertile, MN
www.eriksonvikfh.com