Paul Samuel 'Sam' Johnson, 75

A funeral service for Paul Samuel “Sam” Johnson, of Warroad, Minn., was conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, Warroad.

Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, with a devotional service at 7 at Helgeson Funeral Home, Warroad.

Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Warroad.

Paul Samuel “Sam” Johnson passed away Friday, Oct. 7, in his Warroad home, surrounded by his son and daughter, after a 13-month battle with multiple myeloma. He was 75 years old.

Sam was born Feb. 27, 1941, to Paul A. Johnson and Helen (Brown) Johnson of International Falls, Minn.

Sam attended Falls High School, where he enjoyed participating in football, track, choir and musical theatre.

After his high school graduation in 1959, he attended Gustavus Aldolfus College for two years. Sam then served in the armed forces in Germany as an army military police officer.

Sam completed his college degree at Bemidji State University where he majored in biology and minored in history and more importantly, met his soul mate, Peggy.

Sam and Peggy (Marvin) Johnson were united in marriage Aug. 9, 1969.

They resided in International Falls for five years, then moved to Warroad in 1974 where Sam was employed in human resources at Marvin Windows and Doors, and remained there until he retired.

Sam and Peggy happily raised their two children, Jeff and Paula, in Warroad.

Alongside his wife, Sam was active in the community of Warroad. He was a loyal member of Zion Lutheran Church for 42 years, serving on the counsel, Sunday School, a youth mentor for confirms, and loved his Friday morning men’s Bible study.

Sam served as a 20-year volunteer fireman for the Warroad Fire Department, was a legioneer, member of Lions club, and a Gideon.

In his free time, Sam enjoyed sharing his outdoor passions with his brothers, in-laws, friends, children, and grandchildren.

His waterfowl hunts took him out his back yard to shoot ducks on Lake of the Woods, Beltrami State Forest for ruffed grouse, and to “the Stuga II” hunting shack for Whitetail Deer. Big game hunts of elk, caribou, bear, antelope, and mule deer introduced Sam to the big praire and mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Western Dakota’s, British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec.

Sam enjoyed playing golf, and shared this passion with Jeff, Peggy, and friends at the Warroad Estates Golf Course.

In retirement years, Sam and Peggy loved sharing “Aloha” at their special place on the Island of Kauai with many of their friends and family.

Grandpa Sam loved his “Fab 5” grandkids, and took great pleasure in observing and supporting each of their unique gifts and personalities.

Sam was a man of deep faith, thought, and principles and will always be remembered as an avid outdoorsman who loved his God, creation, his family, and his friends.

Sam was preceded in death by his father, Paul A. Johnson; his mother, Helen Johnson; and his beloved wife, Peggy.

He is survived by brother, Duayne (Nancy) Johnson of International Falls; brother, Richard (Irene) Johnson of International Falls; brother, Dan Johnson of Off the Grid, Minn.; brother, Robin (Carla) Johnson of Pelican Rapids, Minn.; son, Jeffrey (Danyel) Johnson of Fargo, N.D.; daughter, Paula (Ted) Heppner of Zimmerman, Minn.; his “Fab 5” grandchildren – grandsons, Cole Heppner, Connor Johnson, Cameron Heppner and Tate Johnson, and granddaughter, Paige Heppner; as well as many special nieces and nephews.

Charitable donations may be made to LifeCare Hospice — Roseau County, Roseau, MN 56751, 1-218-463-1365; Warroad Warriors Trap Club, P.O. 43, Warroad, MN 56763.

Helgeson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.