Vernon Lee Johnson – Rochester, MN.

Vernon Lee Johnson passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Madonna Towers in Rochester, MN.

Vern was born on May 12, 1940, to parents, Avery A. Johnson and Gladys (Matthiesen) Johnson, on a farm north of Emmetsburg, Iowa. In the spring of 1944, the family moved to a farm in Ayrshire, Iowa. After graduating from Ayrshire Iowa Consolidated High School in 1959, he attended Emmetsburg Junior College. After graduation he attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He graduated from the College of Pharmacy and moved to Rochester, MN. There he began a long 45-year career as a pharmacist at Weber & Judd Drugs. He enjoyed his work.

Vern enjoyed yard work, gardening, reading, travelling, fishing, helping family and friends, attending Mass and family time.  He and Jean travelled to Italy, Greece, Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii, and several cruises with family and friends.

Vern is survived by his wife Jean Johnson (nee Clark); siblings Avery A (Maurine) Johnson of Cherokee, TX, JoAnne (Eugene) Blatchford of Newcastle, NE; in-laws Barbara Johnson, Judy Strunk both of Rochester, Gary (Debra) Clark of Hermantown, MN, Brian Clark and Barbra Mollberg of Detroit Lakes, MN, and dear family and friends.

Vern is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert (May 2024), and sister Marcia.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2024, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with the Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.  A private burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Channel One Food Bank, 131 35 ^th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904, or to a charity of donor's choice.

Vern's family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful medical professionals at Mayo Clinic for his care over the years, the staff at Mayo Hospice, and the staff at Madonna Towers. We have truly been blessed by the care, love, and compassion we have received.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com .