Oscar Verner Johnson, known as "Occie", was born Dec. 25, 1910, in Bessemer Township, Michigan, the son of Olaf and Clara Justina (Erickson) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Sharon Swedish Lutheran Church in Bessemer. He attended schools there and participated in all sports, his favorite being football. He loved music and played a trumpet in an orchestra.
He was employed by J.C. Penney in Ironwood, MI. Later he began working for Greyhound Lines and in his 35 years of service, accumulated more than three million miles with a safe driving record.
Occie came to North Branch, MN, during the depression years and met the love of his life, Inez Lavander. They where married June 11, 1939, at Isanti, MN. They lived in Minot, ND, Fargo, ND, and since 1941, in Moorhead, MN.
In Moorhead, Occie and Inez joined the First Congregational Church. He was also a member of the Red River Theatre Organ Society, FM Ambassador Chorus, and the Sons of Norway. While working full time at Greyhound Lines, Occie was able to build four houses in Moorhead and a home on Pelican Lake, during the 1950s and 1960s.
Occie had a fantastic memory and he was able to recite poems learned in his early school years. He entertained many with his stories and jokes. He enjoyed playing cards with friends. He was a master at performing complex card tricks, which baffled everyone. He was passionate about music and loved playing the organ. He shared his musical talents with his children and cultivated their interest in music.
Survived by his wife, son, daughter, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
(Taken from his funeral program, written by his wife and son.)
He was employed by J.C. Penney in Ironwood, MI. Later he began working for Greyhound Lines and in his 35 years of service, accumulated more than three million miles with a safe driving record.
Occie came to North Branch, MN, during the depression years and met the love of his life, Inez Lavander. They where married June 11, 1939, at Isanti, MN. They lived in Minot, ND, Fargo, ND, and since 1941, in Moorhead, MN.
In Moorhead, Occie and Inez joined the First Congregational Church. He was also a member of the Red River Theatre Organ Society, FM Ambassador Chorus, and the Sons of Norway. While working full time at Greyhound Lines, Occie was able to build four houses in Moorhead and a home on Pelican Lake, during the 1950s and 1960s.
Occie had a fantastic memory and he was able to recite poems learned in his early school years. He entertained many with his stories and jokes. He enjoyed playing cards with friends. He was a master at performing complex card tricks, which baffled everyone. He was passionate about music and loved playing the organ. He shared his musical talents with his children and cultivated their interest in music.
Survived by his wife, son, daughter, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
(Taken from his funeral program, written by his wife and son.)
Oscar Verner Johnson, known as "Occie", was born Dec. 25, 1910, in Bessemer Township, Michigan, the son of Olaf and Clara Justina (Erickson) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Sharon Swedish Lutheran Church in Bessemer. He attended schools there and participated in all sports, his favorite being football. He loved music and played a trumpet in an orchestra.
He was employed by J.C. Penney in Ironwood, MI. Later he began working for Greyhound Lines and in his 35 years of service, accumulated more than three million miles with a safe driving record.
Occie came to North Branch, MN, during the depression years and met the love of his life, Inez Lavander. They where married June 11, 1939, at Isanti, MN. They lived in Minot, ND, Fargo, ND, and since 1941, in Moorhead, MN.
In Moorhead, Occie and Inez joined the First Congregational Church. He was also a member of the Red River Theatre Organ Society, FM Ambassador Chorus, and the Sons of Norway. While working full time at Greyhound Lines, Occie was able to build four houses in Moorhead and a home on Pelican Lake, during the 1950s and 1960s.
Occie had a fantastic memory and he was able to recite poems learned in his early school years. He entertained many with his stories and jokes. He enjoyed playing cards with friends. He was a master at performing complex card tricks, which baffled everyone. He was passionate about music and loved playing the organ. He shared his musical talents with his children and cultivated their interest in music.
Survived by his wife, son, daughter, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
(Taken from his funeral program, written by his wife and son.)
He was employed by J.C. Penney in Ironwood, MI. Later he began working for Greyhound Lines and in his 35 years of service, accumulated more than three million miles with a safe driving record.
Occie came to North Branch, MN, during the depression years and met the love of his life, Inez Lavander. They where married June 11, 1939, at Isanti, MN. They lived in Minot, ND, Fargo, ND, and since 1941, in Moorhead, MN.
In Moorhead, Occie and Inez joined the First Congregational Church. He was also a member of the Red River Theatre Organ Society, FM Ambassador Chorus, and the Sons of Norway. While working full time at Greyhound Lines, Occie was able to build four houses in Moorhead and a home on Pelican Lake, during the 1950s and 1960s.
Occie had a fantastic memory and he was able to recite poems learned in his early school years. He entertained many with his stories and jokes. He enjoyed playing cards with friends. He was a master at performing complex card tricks, which baffled everyone. He was passionate about music and loved playing the organ. He shared his musical talents with his children and cultivated their interest in music.
Survived by his wife, son, daughter, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
(Taken from his funeral program, written by his wife and son.)
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