July 10, 1973 - February 19, 2026
Craig Donald Johnson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on February 19, 2026, at the age of 52 after a courageous battle with mental health challenges. Craig was born on July 10, 1973, in Minneapolis, MN.
Craig graduated from Edina High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Augsburg University. He worked as a paraprofessional at Edina Valley View Middle School, where he supported children with special needs.
His greatest passion was coaching youth hockey, a commitment he dedicated himself to for 30 years. Craig genuinely cared for each and every one of his players, always making sure every child felt valued and important. His coaching went far beyond teaching skills on the ice — he taught young people how to be better teammates and better human beings. Many of his former players remained in touch with him, a testament to the lasting impact he had on their lives. In 2019, he was honored as an Edina Hockey Association Cornerstone Inductee in recognition of his years of dedicated service to the youth hockey program.
He touched countless people through his endless kindness, thoughtfulness, wacky sense of humor, and the unbounded generosity that defined him. He loved socializing at his local watering hole, where he even had a hamburger named in his honor — the “Craigster.” He lived his life as an example to all of us, always offering unconditional kindness, putting others first, and seeing the beauty in everyone he met.
He is survived by his loving family: mother, Beverly Johnson; his siblings, Janae Hentges (Peter), Julie Johnson, Derek Johnson (Jolyn Brakke-Johnson), and his cherished nieces and nephews, Joseph, Sydney, Thomas, Nicholas, Ella, Noah, and Natalie.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Johnson.
Our family takes comfort knowing he is now at peace and is reunited with our father, Donald; grandparents, Jalmer and Louise Johnson, and Arthur and Agnes Jacobson, and a special cousin, Daniel, and is with the Lord in heaven.
The family would like to thank the medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center for their extraordinary care and compassion.
A celebration of Craig’s life will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Woodlake Lutheran Church and streamed live at https://woodlakechurch.org/worship/woodlake-live/
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Edina Education Fund Heal Together Campaign https://www.edinaedfund.org/s/mental-health-and-wellness and Woodlake Lutheran Church https://woodlakechurch.org/give/
Celebration of Life
Saturday, February 28, 2026
11:00 AM
Visitation 1-hour prior to service.
Woodlake Lutheran Church
2120 W. 76th Street
Richfield, MN 55423