Wayne Johnson

Milliken, Colo.

Wayne Allen Johnson (85) of Milliken, CO formerly of Sherwood, ND, passed away peacefully on December 13th at a Greeley, Colorado hospital, surrounded by family.

Wayne was born September 30, 1938 to Melvin and Ruth Johnson in Kenmare, ND. He grew up on his parent’s farm along the Mouse River in Renville County. He graduated from Sherwood High School in 1958. He served in the US Army Infantry Division and was discharged in 1967.

Wayne was a truck driver at heart, and he drove for several companies before going into partnership with his father. They had Johnson’s Trucking for several years. Wayne then moved out west and joined the Teamsters Union and became a long haul truck driver. He retired after 45 years of trucking and was proud of the fact that he never had an accident.

Wayne married Crystal Engelstad of Antler, ND on July 6, 1968 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Antler. The Lord blessed them with 55 years of marriage and 3 sons, Waylon, Wade (deceased), and Jason. Wayne loved to hunt and fish with his boys and enjoyed camping and traveling in their motorhome. He loved his grandchildren deeply and was looking forward to their first great-grandchild in March.

His family includes wife Crystal, sons Waylon (Steph) of Salem, Missouri and Jason (Raquel) of Milliken, Colorado, grandchildren Angelique Robinson (Colton), Shay (Jordan), Jamie, Emma, Gunnar, and Freya, and a great-granddaughter due in March. Also sister Zella (Don) Ackerson, sister-in-law Carolyn Johnson, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son Wade, parents, sisters Myrna Johnson and Joyce Moran, his brother Wesley, and nephew Kevin Johnson.

At Wayne’s request there will be no formal service and burial will be at a later date at the Sherwood Cemetery.

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 27, 2023.