Gerald John Johnson

Gerald J. (Kulenkamp) Johnson, 91, passed away peacefully with his wife Harriet at his side under the care of Palliative Care at Sanford Health Hospital on July 31, 2018. Family filled his room with love and faith, and they shared wonderful memories in his final days.

Gerry was born August 19, 1926 in Minneapolis, MN to Hiram and Florence Kulenkamp. At 6 years of age, his father died in a drowning accident. His mother later remarried at which time his last name was changed to Johnson. Gerry lived his elementary through high school years in Minneapolis. After graduating from Roosevelt High, he joined the Navy and served 2 years in the Pacific from 1944 to 1946. Following his service in the Navy, he attended St. Olaf College where he majored in Mathematics, played football and hockey, made life-long friends, and met the love of his life, Harriet. Gerry graduated in 1950. After spending a year in Akron, IA, teaching Math and coaching football and basketball, he joined Honeywell Inc. in Minneapolis. He dedicated 37 years to the Residential Division in multiple locations including Gardena, CA, Minneapolis, and for nearly 5 years he served as The Director of Honeywell Scottish Factories in Glasgow, Scotland. He retired from Honeywell in 1987 and moved with Harriet to Huntington Beach, CA. They lived there for twelve years, where Gerry consulted and was a professional coach, and then moved to Palm Desert, CA for fourteen years. They also spent parts of the summers in Minneapolis and Avon, Colorado. Regardless of their location, they made an effort to see as many friends and family as they could and truly enjoyed all of their relationships.

Gerry married Harriet Solberg in 1948. They had 4 children, Thomas (Terri) Martinez-Johnson, Nancy (Walter) Saunders, Sue Ann (Bryan) Cormack, and Carolyn (Tom) Espel. Gerry and Harriet have 5 Grandchildren: Emma Espel, Brian Martinez Johnson, Laura Espel, Stephen Espel, and Parker Cormack. He adored spending time with his family and loved having fun and meaningful conversations with all. He was a consummate coach and taught as much or more by example. Gerry was an intentional and quiet man of integrity and humor and had an intuitive sense that could be trusted. He carried these qualities into all his years. Gerry’s passions in life were his wife, Harriet, family, activities in church, golf, and his commitment to work and “doing things right the first time.”

Gerry is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jean Engen.

A Memorial Service will be held on August 25 at Edgewood Vista Senior Living located at 4440 37th Avenue South, Fargo, ND 58104. The 2:00 Service in the chapel will be followed by fellowship adjacent to the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.

Thank you to all the staff at Edgewood Vista and Sanford Health Palliative Care for your loving and caring ways with Gerry and our family.