Donald Charles Johnston, Sr.
Our hero, best friend and father, Donald Charles Johnston, Sr. was born on July 14, 1919 in Missoula, Montana. When the Great Depression hit our nation in 1929 Don’s family was forced to leave Montana and move to Minneapolis to survive. The family settled in North East Minneapolis where Don attended Edison High School, graduating in 1936. Don married Sonia Hyland on March 29, 1941. World War II broke out on December 7, 1941 changing our world and the lives of Don & Sonia. Don enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1942, and after receiving his training, served in the Army Signal Corps on the island of Guam in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Donald returned to civilian life in 1946 and worked as an Aerospace Engineer for the next 40 years with Engineering Research Associates, Control Data, and Honeywell working mainly on U.S. Government Military Defense projects. Don and Sonia moved into a new home at 7345 Park Avenue in Richfield in 1952 and remained in that wonderful neighborhood for the next 60 years. The joy of Don & Sonia’s life was their four children and four grandchildren. In addition to his family, Don found great joy in his friends and neighbors, watching the Twins and the Vikings, and bowling. Don was an excellent bowler with a life long 180 average. Don was also a Ham Radio Operator (W0JBX) for over 75 years!! Don was also a man of faith. He and Sonia became members of Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in 1948. In 2010 Don and Son sold their home at 7345 Park Avenue and moved into Independent Senior Living at Avinity Mainstreet Village in Richfield where they were loved and cared for by the Mainstreet staff. Don transitioned into eternity and into the presence of God on Thursday, May 26, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Don Johnston will be dearly missed but always loved and fondly remembered by his family and friends! Don is survived by his three children: Donald, Jr. (Kathleen), David (Jeanie), and Carole (Dale) Heebl; four grandchildren: Kyle (Alexis), Davey (Rachel), Laurel and Kristen Boo (Thomas); brother-in-law, Ron Hyland; and nephews and nieces. The reviewal for Don is 5-8 PM, Sunday, June 5 with a prayer service at 7 PM at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 3640 23rd Avenue South in Minneapolis. The funeral service celebrating Don’s life will be at 11 AM, Monday June 6, with visitation one hour before at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church; 5025 Knox Avenue S., Minneapolis. A luncheon will follow the service in the church Fellowship Hall. Donald will be laid to rest with his wife, Sonia at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery with full Military honors. Please join the family for these services of remembrance celebrating the life of Donald Charles Johnston. Memorials may be directed to the Avinity Foundation at https://avinityseniorliving.org/about/foundation/ , or sent directly to Avinity Senior Living: 7645 Lyndale Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423.