Kolin Johnson
May 12, 1950-June 26, 2025
Rugby
Kolin Adair Johnson met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 26th, 2025. In that sacred moment, he was gently taken by the hand and led into heaven by his Savior and forgiving Father, where he was welcomed into eternal peace. There, he continues his walk with the Lord in everlasting life.
Born on May 12, 1950, to Earl L. and Nordis P. (Podoll) Johnson at Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby, Kolin was a fighter from the very start.
Tragically, two older siblings did not survive, so when tiny Kolin was born, he was baptized immediately at the hospital, with the nurses serving as his sponsors.
Kolin grew up in Gilmore Township, attending Riga #7 School through the sixth grade. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow classmates in the one-room schoolhouse.
In seventh grade, the group moved up to the town school in Upham, where they enjoyed the experience of riding the bus together until their graduation in 1968.
Kolin then pursued his education at the State School of Forestry in Bottineau for one year, before going on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering with a focus on agricultural structures from North Dakota State University.
The call of ranch life brought Kolin back to his family’s ranch south of Bantry, where he worked alongside his parents raising cattle, riding horses, and putting up hay throughout the summers.
In his younger years, he was especially proud to be a Junior Registered Angus breeder. Kolin’s deep sense of responsibility and community was evident in his willingness to work cattle for his neighbors, especially during the spring and fall seasons.
His dedication to the Angus breed was further solidified when his Grandpa Ed Johnson gifted him several registered Angus cows and a bull, leading Kolin to join the North Dakota Junior Angus Association.
When winter slowed things down on the ranch, Kolin took a job with S&H Construction, working on wooden grain handling and storage facility repairs in the local area.
His career later took him all over North Dakota and Montana, where he served as the night slip manager foreman for massive concrete elevator projects with Viking Construction out of Grand Forks.
Kolin was proud to leave his mark on the earth in places like Russell, Mohall, Fordville, Maxbass, and Minot.
He often said that he was proud to have started at the ground level and helped raise the walls to over 60 feet, leaving a tangible legacy behind.
A devout Christian, Kolin’s faith was central to his life. He was confirmed on June 14, 1964, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell by Pastor Lueker.
Over the years, he was an active member of Trinity Missouri Synod Church in Upham and later of Faith Lutheran Church in Towner, where he also served as an elder.
Through his involvement, Kolin deepened his understanding of keeping God and His Word as a guiding force in his life.
On June 3, 1983, Kolin married Glenna A. Otto, and together they shared 42 years of joy, partnership, and love.
Their family included four children, Craig, Jennifer, Kolena, and Edward and as the family grew, Kolin found immense pride and joy in watching his seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren flourish.
His smile was brightest celebrating their achievements. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of another great-grandchild this fall.
Whether it was ranching, playing pinochle and whist, or traveling with Craig and Jennifer to the NDRA finals in Oklahoma City and later with Kolena and Edward to Hawaii, Kolin treasured these shared experiences for both the learning and the fun they brought.
He even persuaded Glenna to start enjoying trips to visit relatives, classmates, and friends. No matter where he went, Kolin often stopped to visit with people, especially veterans, as his deep patriotism and respect for those who served were always a high priority for him.
Kolin was deeply committed to his community and agriculture. As a member of the HAMC board, he played a valued role in the construction and opening of the new Rugby hospital.
He served as treasurer of Gilmore Township for 22 years. Kolin was a lifetime member of the National FFA Alumni, a Towner FFA Honorary Member, and a member of Bethlehem St. John’s Lutheran Church.
He also served on the Bantry Cemetery Board and was a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and the Towner Senior Citizen Center.
Kolin is survived by his beloved wife, Glenna; his children Craig (Trish) Johnson of Watertown, South Dakota, Jennifer (Mike) Talley of Olathe, Kansas, Kolena (Doug) Drader, and Edward (Jenna) Johnson of Towner, North Dakota.
He also leaves behind seven grandchildren; Meagan Carlson, Kaleb Johnson, Haley Rise Nate Johnson, Beth Koehn, Abby Johnson, and Rachel Johnson; five great-grandchildren: Owen and Cam Johnson, and Brooks, Georgia, and a baby Koehn, expected this fall.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Nordis Johnson; his infant brother; his sister, Korela Ann; his aunts, Effie Bailey and Carol Podoll; and his uncles, Emmett Bailey and Owen Podoll.
Funeral services will be held at Bethlehem-St. John Lutheran Church, rural Upham on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11a.m.
Kolin will be buried at the Bantry Union Cemetery at 2 p.m. that afternoon.
Visitation will be at the Niewoehner Funeral Home in Rugby on Sunday, June 29th from 5-7 p.m. followed by a prayer service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the HAMC Foundation Rugby Hospital or the Bantry Union Cemetery Stone Marker Fund.
If we meet and you forget me, you have lost nothing; but if you meet Jesus Christ and forget Him, you have lost everything.
Service will be live streamed on Facebook at Bethlehem/St.John Lutheran Church page.
Niewoehner Funeral Home, Rugby. www.niewoehnerfh.com.
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, July 5, 2025.