Edwin DeWayne “Pete” Johnson

Edwin DeWayne “Pete” Johnson, of Montevideo, passed away Monday, September 9, 2024 at Homefront First in Montevideo at the age of 97.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo. Burial will be held in Sunset Memorial Cemetery with a celebration of life held immediately following the burial, at Table 212 Event Center.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Sunday.

In memory of Pete, please wear your favorite Minnesota Twins apparel.

Arrangements are with Anderson – TeBeest Funeral Home of Montevideo. www.andersontebeest.com

Edwin DeWayne “Pete” Johnson was born on July 6, 1927, in McHenry, ND. He was the second youngest of nine children born to Edwin and Ida (Palmquist) Johnson. Pete’s family moved several times during his early childhood due to the Depression before settling in Maynard, MN.

The family moved to their farm on Lake Christina in 1944. Pete’s father was a livestock trader who raised cattle, horses, and pigs. When Pete was young, he helped break wild horses to the bridle and saddle. He loved horses and, at 13, rode a horse from North Dakota to Minnesota. He was an avid baseball player and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox but was unable to accept the offer as his older brothers were serving in the military and he was needed to help with the farm. Pete enlisted to United States Army and served his country from 1954-1955. He sailed as a Merchant Marine on ships traveling the Great Lakes for many years. He finished his working career in road construction.

In 1952, Pete married Shirley Tripp. They had five daughters: Cindy, Kim, Kari, Kelley, and an infant daughter, Pamela, who passed away shortly after birth. They began their married life on the east end of Lake Christina on the Johnson family farm and moved to Elbow Lake in 1966. The couple later divorced.

Pete loved music, and it was at a dance in Montevideo in 1977 that he first met Vivian Phelps. From the moment they met, they knew they were meant to spend their lives together. For the next 31 years, they loved, laughed, enjoyed music, danced, and shared time with family and friends. When Vivian faced health challenges, Pete cared for her in their home for many years, ensuring she stayed in her home until she passed away on Christmas Day 2008. He always said she gave him a reason to get up every day. He was clearly her guardian angel.

Pete was an avid fisherman, known as a legend for catching fish when no one else could. He always made people smile and was known for being a great neighbor, kind, friendly, quick-witted, and full of laughter and stories. God blessed Pete with an amazing memory, which never left him. He was easily recognized, as he never went out without a cowboy hat, boots, and jeans.

He enjoyed playing cards, music, dancing, and tending to his unbelievable tomato garden, which he always shared. Pete loved Minnesota sports, with the Minnesota Twins being his favorite team. He rarely missed watching a game and even watched replay games on MLB in the winter.

Pete is survived by his daughters, Cindy (Dale) Ekdahl of Alexandria, Kim (Tony) Ray of Barrett, Kelley Johnson (Patrick Faust) of Independence and Kari Johnson of Bloomington; step-daughter, Kathy (Bill) Gordon of Montevideo; step-son, Wayne Dye of Montevideo; grandchildren, Craig Berg, Jessica Schuette, Brittney (Donny) Best, Bryan (Katie) Hauglie, Adam (Sarah) Ray, Aaron Ray, Dylan Rustand, Taylor Rustand, Konnor Gunwall, Rob Dye (Becci ten Bensel), Kirby Jones, Todd Blackwell, Karen (Kipp) Yackley, Tammy (Andy) Magenheimer, and Capri Dye; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Parker Schuette, Everett Best, Grace, Braven and Brycen Hauglie, Lucy Bertrand-Schwindt, Ethan and Isaac Ray, Travis Byrd, Randall Hecker, Jayden Jones, Reese Edwin Dye, and Branden, Brent and Bryan Yackley; and several extended family and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; love of his life, Vivian Phelps; infant daughter, Pamela Johnson; step-daughter, Christine Dye LaVoie; step-sons, Terry Dye and Eddie Dye; siblings, Glenn, Ross, Allen, Lester, Ione, Lois, Helen and Vivian; grandson, Bradley John Hauglie; granddaughter, Teresa Jones; son-in-law, Ryan Berg; and the mother of his children, Shirley Johnson.