Dean C. Johnson, 78, of Leeds, N.D. passed away at the Towner County Medical Center in Cando, N.D. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, with his wife by his side. Dean was born on June 17, 1946, in Rugby, N.D. to Chester and LuCille (Feldmann) Johnson. He graduated from Leeds High School in 1964. Following graduation, he joined the Army National Guard and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, then served for over 13 years with units in Rugby and Jamestown. Dean attended Thief River Technical College where he received his AP&IA Aircraft Mechanic credential. He then began working at Pietsch Flying Service in Minot, N.D. He married Sandra (Sandy) Liudahl of Devils Lake on June 30, 1968, and they resided in Max, N.D. Dean and Sandy then moved to Jamestown where Dean took over Comet Aviation. He was a proud member of the Jamestown Jaycees.
Dean and family returned to take over the family farm in Leeds in the spring of 1977 and farmed until retiring in 2017. While living in Leeds he was active with the Benson County Water Board, a member of the Leeds Lutheran Church, former president of the Leeds Jaycees, former president of Leeds Lions Club, served with the Leeds Ambulance and Fire Department, former president of the Leeds Community Center, Leeds American Legion Post #101, Leeds Snowmobile Club, and lifetime member of the Devils Lake Elks Lodge #1216.
Dean was quite the prankster and always had a joke to tell. He enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling. He spent many hours fishing, hunting, and restoring airplanes and antique cars. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix – and he loved spoiling his grandkids!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and LuCille Johnson; brother, Dan Johnson; brother-in-law, Harry Darling; son-in-law, Robb Johnson.
Dean is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandy Johnson; sisters, Sandra Darling of Bismarck, N.D. and Candy (John) Balkenbush of Conrad, M.T.; daughters, Wendy (Sean) Oscarson and Ivy Deutsch both of Fargo, N.D.; grandchildren, Laramie Johnson, Larissa Johnson, Kase Oscarson, Cadence Deutsch and Braxton Deutsch. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Leeds Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Dean will be buried at the Leeds Lutheran Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a Leeds charity of donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com.
The Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds, N.D. is in charge of the arrangements.
