Rick Johnson

Richard Allen Johnson, 71, of Northwood, ND, passed away Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 7, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) in Northwood. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Rick was born February 12, 1950, to Norman and Margaret Johnson.  He attended Northwood High School, graduating in 1968 and attended Mayville State College where he attained degrees in business and social studies.

Rick was united in marriage to Renee on September 4, 1971, which was the start of the infamous Northwood duo “Rick and Renee.”  You rarely saw or spoke of one without the other.  Rick and Renee raised their two daughters, Heidi and Christine, of whom he was very proud.

Rick was a lifelong dedicated citizen to the community of Northwood.  He began washing cars at Krabbenhoft Chevrolet when he was 14 years old, which culminated to him purchasing the dealership in partnership with his brother, Robert, in 1984.  Rick loved his fast cars and managed to collect many over the years.  Krabbenhofts was a labor of love for Rick until his last days.

Rick was an active member of the Northwood Park Board for 12 years, where he spent countless hours grooming the ball diamonds and raising money for the city pool.  He was a member of the NELC congregation, where he was confirmed, and over the years served on the church council including as its President.  Rick also served as the mayor of Northwood for 12 years.  His tenure included guiding the city through the devastating tornado in 2007 and its recovery.  His mayor role also afforded him many trips to Washington D.C., which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Rick’s hobbies included several years of softball playing, collecting guns, and hunting with his friends and daughters.  Once Rick and Renee obtained grandparent status to MaKenna and Kinsley, the most popular hobby quickly became anything the grandkids were doing or wanted to do.  There was nothing he would not do for those girls. 

Rick’s dedication to family and his community will be deeply missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Renee, daughters Heidi (Jason) Gader and Christine (Shawn) Gaffney; grandchildren MaKenna and Kinsley Gader, as well as brother Art Johnson and several in-laws, nieces, and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Ernie and Kate Johnson, brother Robert Johnson, sisters-in-law Shirley Johnson and Mary Ellen Franklin, and brother-in-law Darryl Ostlie.