Charles 'Charlie' Johnson

Charles E. 'Charlie' Johnson, age 75, of Litchfield, MN, died on Sunday, July 1, 2012, at the Lakeview Ranch in Darwin, MN. Funeral services will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home, Litchfield, MN. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 PM, prior to the service. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Charles Edwin 'Charlie' Johnson, the son of John and Esther (Johnson) Johnson, was born on May 6, 1937, in Litchfield, MN. He graduated from Litchfield High School. He was united in marriage to Karen Anderson on October 15, 1955, in Litchfield, MN. Charlie grew up working on the family farm, graduated highschool and started his family with his bride of 49 years. At this time, he also began what turned into his lifetime career as an over the road truck driver. He often told the story of his first long haul for Anderson Chemical at age 20 bound for New York when he hadn't really even left Minnesota before! The trip must of served him well because Charlie went on to drive for several trucking companies throughout his career and soon began driving coast to coast which he seemed to enjoy best. During his career, he logged over 1 million road miles without an accident, he won many safety awards and became a ""trainer"" to instruct new drivers towards the end of his career. Charlie had driven countless miles, before he took an early retirement to care for his wife, Karen. He enjoyed spending the weekends with his family when he was home. Charlie also enjoyed farming and tending to his yard and garden. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. He lived his last several years coping with dementia, being cared for by his family and friends at the Lakeview Ranch in Darwin. Charlie is survived by his children, John Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jody (and Tim) Schloesser of Fairbanks, Alaska, Jill (and Joel) Ramthun of Litchfield, MN and Kris (and Steve) Dollerschell of Litchfield, MN; 6 grandchildren, Joshua Schloesser, Jeremy Schloesser, Jamie Schloesser, Jenna Huggett, Jack Ramthun and Judson Dollerschell; 3 great grandchildren Savannah, Dylan and Jayla; sister Joann Johnson of Litchfield, MN; sister-in-law Kaye (and Joe) Merila of Plymouth, MN; niece Tracy (and Shaun) Sartin; and nephew Mark Merila. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Esther; wife Karen; brother Elwood and an infant sister.Previous Events Visitation Thursday, July 5, 2012 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Thursday, July 5, 2012 6:00 PM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355