Eugene Johnson

Pastor Eugene "Gene" E. Johnson, age 93, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026, at Essentia Health–St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Gene was born on November 2, 1932, in Brainerd, Minnesota, the firstborn son of Walter and Margaret (Berg) Johnson.

After graduating from Brainerd High School in 1950, Gene attended Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion with minors in History and Elementary Education.

Following his education, Gene answered God's call to ministry and was ordained as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. During a remarkable 60 years of ministry, he faithfully pastored more than 20 congregations and led evangelistic meetings in Russia and Hungary, sharing the message of God's love and salvation with countless people.

Gene was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rose Evelyn (Drake) Johnson; his parents, Walter and Margaret Johnson; and his brother, Leo Johnson.

He is survived by his brother, James Johnson (Linda); his sister, Mary Anderson (Dean); and his four children: Mitchell Johnson (Nilsa), Richard Johnson, Renee Johnson, and Milton Johnson (Rebecca).

He was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren: Dr. Lance Johnson (Jennifer), Megan Hogan (Patrick), Melody Edwards (Nate), Tyler Johnson, Rachel Manahane (Colton), Frank Wyman, Dawson Wyman, Margaret Wyman, Hunter Stonich, and Brooke Stonich.

Gene was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Harper Malaphonh, Pearson Hogan, Leighton Hogan, Mae Edwards, and Ruby Edwards.

Gene will be remembered not only for his unwavering faith and compassionate heart, but also for his wonderful sense of humor. He never missed an opportunity to tell a story, and those stories almost always ended with a perfectly timed punchline that left everyone laughing. His gentle spirit, infectious smile, and ability to find humor in everyday life will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He lived a life of quiet service, always seeking to share God's love through his words, his actions, and the relationships he built over a lifetime of ministry.

Gene will be deeply missed by his loving family, many dear friends, and the countless members of the congregations he faithfully served throughout his long ministry.

A memorial service celebrating Gene's life will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Brainerd Seventh-day Adventist Church. A reception in the church fellowship hall will immediately follow the service. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens will take place following the reception.

All who knew and loved Gene are warmly invited to join the family as we celebrate a life devoted to faith, family, and service, and rejoice in the blessed hope of Christ’s promised return.

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” — Matthew 25:23