Neil E. Johnson

Neil Johnson died peacefully in Christ at 3:35 AM, Palm Sunday morning, April 13, 2025, with his brother Duane at his side. Twelve hours prior to his death, at 3:45 on Saturday, his brother Larry bade him farewell: “Neil, I commend you to the care of Almighty God your savior. God give you peace now and joy forevermore.” Neil’s mother Marilynn, his siblings (Bennet, Polly, Susan, Larry, Duane), his siblings-in-law (Michelle, Dale, Paul, Marlinda), and his nieces and nephews, had spent much of the day Saturday with him. His sister Susan provided care for him during the months of his illness. His brother Steven phoned him the week before his death.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 19, 2025, at the First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. A private graveside service will be held at the Sauk Valley Lutheran Cemetery in rural Osakis.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Neil’s life was profoundly shaped by his parents, Olaf and Marilynn Johnson. Neil deeply admired his parents for their Christian faith, their love for each other, their encouragement of their children, their service to their neighbors, their gracious character, their stewardship, and their charitable perception of others - a legacy which he daily lived out.

Neil grew up on two farms, one east of Osakis, MN, and the other 550 miles to the west, just north of Zahl, ND. The school year was spent in MN and the summers in ND. The fourth of eight children, he and his siblings grew up with two sets of friends and worshipped in two congregations, Sauk Valley in MN and Bethany in ND.

His educational journey began at the one-room country school at the corner near their Todd county farm. He graduated from Osakis High School in 1972, earned a BA in political science from the University of Minnesota in 1976 and a J.D. from William Mitchell in 1980.

His legal career was served as a Public Defender in several central Minnesota counties, including Todd, Douglas, and Stearns. Serving as a Public Defender harmonized with his faith. To the men who would stone a woman for adultery, Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Neil interpreted that passage to mean that Jesus was a public defender! Neil also operated a private practice in Osakis.

Neil volunteered his expertise with several organizations. From 1987 until 2025, he served as Chair of the Galeon Board, stewarding care and dignity for others in his own community. He was active in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, serving on synod committees for clergy support and discipline.

For many years, Neil patiently cared for his mother and conducted her business affairs. He personally extended himself to care for and support several young people who were in difficult circumstances. He organized and hosted family gatherings for the Nelson cousins.

Neil’s love of fun and adventure was infectious. Neil judged snowboarding competitions, paddled through over 30 Boundary Waters trips, traveled extensively, adored a good car, and believed that time spent with friends around a game was never wasted. Neil was a compelling friend not only because he brought value, light, and joy, but because he saw the best qualities in others.

Neil lived his faith in word and action, with an open hand, a sharp mind, an easy smile and a heart wide enough to carry a community. He often quoted Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Or Neil would put this in his own words as: “Rule One, live deliberately and make good choices. Rule two, when shit happens—see Rule One.” His friend Dave said it best: “Neil’s life has been cut short, but he lived more than some live in 10 lifetimes.” Neil lived a life worth remembering and even more so, worth emulating. His memory is a blessing and his example encourages us to have the strength to live our lives kindly and with purpose. We give thanks to God for Neil. To God be the glory!

Neil was preceded in death by his father, Olaf and his sister, Mia.

In lieu of flowers, Neil expressed his preference for memorials to Galeon Senior Living, Sauk Valley Lutheran Church, both of Osakis, MN, the Minnesota Innocence Project and Minnesota Public Radio.

Serving as urn bearers will be Oliver Johnson, Sean Johnson, Christopher Johnson, and Luke Johnson.