Robert Ragnar “Bob” Johnson

Robert Ragnar "Bob" Johnson passed away peacefully from natural causes on February 6, 2026, at age 94.

Robert was born on December 5, 1931, to first- and second-generation Swedish immigrants Axel R. and Edith H. Johnson.

A lifelong Minneapolis resident, Robert grew up a few blocks west of Lake Nokomis. He was baptized at St. Paul’s Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, was a “charter Sunday School member” of and confirmed at Diamond Lake Lutheran Church. He attended Hale Elementary, Ramsey Jr. High and Washburn High School, class of 1949.

After earning a business degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1953, he served two years in the U.S. Army. Starting in 1955, he was a bank examiner for the Minnesota Dept. of Commerce for fourteen years and then spent the remainder of his career managing credit unions until his retirement in 1993.

On June 28, 1958, Robert was united in marriage to June E. Carlson at Diamond Lake Lutheran Church. They spent their lives together residing in the Diamond Lake neighborhood for over 67 years where they raised their four children, having built their first home in 1958 and their second on the north side of the same block in 1966.

During his retirement Robert spent time further cultivating his talents and interests via activities he truly enjoyed including his antique automobiles and early Minnesota license plates hobbies, dancing, traveling at home and abroad with June, Swedish language classes, genealogy, and serving as a volunteer guard and tour guide at the American Swedish Institute.

Robert was a member of a number of organizations including: the American Swedish Institute (life member), the Swedish-American Historical Society, the Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota, the Antique Automobile Club of America (life member), the Minnesota Region AACA (charter member, past president, and honorary life member), the Horseless Carriage Club of America, the Twin Cities Region HCCA, the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the Hennepin History Museum, the Minnesota Historical Society, the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, the Scottish Rite, and the Zuhrah Shrine (Legion of Honor).

Robert was a practical man who valued truth, fairness, and common sense. He was a good father and provider and, although he had a Scandinavian exterior, he loved his family and was especially proud of his five grandchildren.

Robert is survived his wife, June; sister, Lois M. Johnson; daughters, Sandra (Charles) Kelley and Karen (Thomas) O’Connor; sons, Erik and Nils (Kirsti Hendricksen); grandchildren, Reilly, Birgitt, and Megan O’Connor, and Tait and Svea Johnson.