BEAR RIVER- In 1906, Peter Flank, a 40-year-old Swedish immigrant, his wife, Anna, and their two young children, six-year-old Arthur and one-year-old Edith moved from their western Minnesota home of …
Kenneth “Ken” LeRoy Johnson of Duluth passed away peacefully on Wed., June 8, 2022 at the age of 86. Ken was born Dec. 2, 1935 to Hjalmer and Sophie Keveri) Johnson in Makinen. Ken married Jeanette “Jean” Signell on July 11, 1955. Following his service in the U.S. Army, Ken and Jean raised their 5 children at their home in Rice Lake Township. Ken worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator at Reserve Mining in Silver Bay and later for St. Louis County Public Works in Rice Lake, until his retirement in 1998. He would proudly point out the roads he graded or plowed to his children. Ken and Jean were members of Arnold Lutheran Church (now Family of God) where they served in many capacities and built many friendships. Ken had a passion for most anything with a motor, especially motorcycles. He even convinced Jean to ride which was a huge feat. They both loved to travel, enjoying many wonderful trips together until Jean’s passing in 2006 following 51 years of marriage.
Bygones is researched and written by David Ouse, retired reference librarian from the Duluth Public Library. He can be contacted at djouse49@gmail.com.
A descendant of the "Seven Iron Men" who ushered the iron ore industry into Minnesota, Merritt devoted his life to defending the environment, especially Lake Superior.