Lavern L. Johnson, 90, Washburn, ND died December 27, 2018 at his residence in Washburn. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at the Washburn Baptist Church with Pastor Rick Torkelson officiating. Interment will be held in the Riverview Cemetery, Washburn. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Tuesday at the Goetz Funeral Home, Washburn. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.

Lavern was born February 6, 1928 on a farm near Washburn the son of John O. and Ida (Edlund) Johnson. He was the youngest of 10 children. He attended country school near Falkirk through the eighth grade. After his father's death at an early age, he farmed with his mother. Lavern also attended electrical trade school in Chicago and mechanical trade school in Seattle. He married Mildred Nelson on November 29, 1965. They lived and farmed south of Falkirk. Mildred died in August of 1998. Lavern continued to live on the farm and later married Marlys Melby on December 28, 1999 in Crosby, ND. They lived on the farm until retiring in the late 1990's. They moved into Washburn into 2010.

Lavern was a member of the Washburn Baptist Church and the Washburn Senior Citizens. He served as president/vice president of Senior Citizens for 20 years. He enjoyed travelling, gardening, playing pinochle and "keeping busy".

He is survived by his wife, Marlys of Washburn; two step-daughters, Bonnie Effertz of Denhoff, ND and Kimi (Howell) Flowers of Bismarck, ND; 5 step-grandchildren; 6 step-great grandchildren; 2 step-great great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews including, Shirley Johnson and her family, Rick (Julie) Johnson, Ronnie (Diane) Johnson, Eddie (Kathleen) Johnson, Rhonda Johnson and Robyn (Russ) Smith.

Lavern was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Mildred, 4 brothers and 5 sisters.