Alvern “Vernie” Johnson, age 87 of Clarkfield, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital with loving family by his side. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 5-8 PM with a prayer service beginning at 5 PM at the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield. Visitation will continue Friday, April 24, at 10 AM at Augustana Lutheran Church in Clarkfield, followed by the memorial service with military honors at 11 AM. Interment will be in Fridhem Cemetery, rural Clarkfield.

Due to limited handicap accessibility at the church, please consider attending the visitation the evening prior at the funeral home.

Alvern “Vernie” Myron Johnson was born on September 4, 1938, in Clarkfield, MN to John Heimer and Alice (Anderson) Johnson. He was baptized, confirmed, and a lifelong member of Augustana Lutheran Church in Clarkfield. Vernie attended elementary and high school in Clarkfield, graduating with the class of 1956. Vernie served in the U.S. Army from January 11, 1961 to his honorable discharge on October 10, 1962. On October 21, 1962, Vernie married Karen Sulflow and this union was blessed with two children, Todd and Melinda. Vernie and Karen enjoyed 59 wonderful years together before she passed away on August 7, 2022.

Vernie was a farmer his entire life. He started farming alongside his dad when he was a teen. After getting married, he and Karen farmed together for many years. He ended his career farming alongside his son and grandsons. He ran the combine for over 70 years, with his final harvest being the fall of 2025. Vernie was a true people person; he loved visiting with others and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Vernie enjoyed playing cards, spending time and fishing at Maple Lake, golfing, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and would never turn down a cup of coffee, a chocolate chip cookie, or a piece of Juniper pie. Vernie was a kind, hardworking man who loved to laugh and to make others laugh.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Karen; two infant sons; grandson, Nicholas Johnson; great-grandson, Iver Johnson; brother, Curtis (Gloria) Johnson; sister, Stina (Erling) Anderson, and Karen’s siblings, Robert Sulflow and Betty (James) O’Connor.

Vernie will be greatly missed by his children, Todd (Jolene) Johnson and Melinda (Jody) Rokusek; grandchildren, Brooke (Ryan) Dare, Logan (Carina) Johnson; Dylan (Kelly) Johnson, Rachel (Caden) Laleman; Brandon (Gabrielle) Rokusek, and Makayla (Andrew) Peterson; great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Nolan Dare; Sawyer Johnson; Texley, Cooper, and Kennedy Laleman; baby Johnson due in September, and Emmett Rokusek; brother, James (Nona) Johnson; sisters-in-law, Kathy (Mel) Luepke and Gloria Sulflow; many nieces and nephews, and friends too numerous to mention.