Barbara A. Wannarka, 92
Delmar Eugene Johnson, Sr., age 93, of Austin, died Sunday, February 16, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Austin, Minnesota.
Delmar, called Del or Shorty by friends and those with whom he worked, and lovingly, Kingpin by his children.
Delmar was born August 5, 1931 near Rock Dell, Minnesota to Clifford and Mable (Jensen) Johnson.
In 1956 he met Mercedes (Wilson) Holland. They married and spent nearly 50 years together. Merc, as she was called, had four children from a previous marriage. She and Del had three more of their own to make a large family of nine.
Shorty spent most of his working life as a truck driver. First with McDonough Freight and then with Murphy Motor Freight. With his outgoing personality he was known and well liked by nearly every business owner and stock receiver in town. In August 1981, he was named Minnesota Driver of the Month. Del was also involved in raising hogs for market and a cattle feeding operation. After Murphy Motor shut down, Shorty took a position with Robinson Business forms where he now was shipping and receiving. Another job he enjoyed.
Delmar and Merc (until she passed in 2005) moved into the house he would occupy for 47 years in 1978 and became known as the neighborhood mister fix-it. He was always ready to help anyone and loan out his tools. Winter saw him with his blower clearing the neighbor’s sidewalks. He had a yard full of flowers planted by him and Merc that had people stopping to admire. He was also quite the baker noted for his homemade bread. He always gave most of it away to neighbors and family.
Delmar loved being outdoors. He would ride his Arabian horse, D.J. Marquis and putter around his daughter’s place in the country. He had a flock of ducks that would come every afternoon for the corn he threw out and the squirrels came for peanuts when he sat in his porch swing. He could sit there for hours on a nice day watching the world go by.
Delmar had a good long life and was very active nearly until the end. A stroke slowed him down the last couple of years and he was forced to depend on his son Delmar Jr., along with his daughters, Tammy and Laura to get around. He regretted not being able to hop in the car and take off. He was a driver all his life. Family was probably the most important thing in his life. Holidays were always spent at his house. Even after his wife passed the house was jammed with family every holiday.
Preceding Delmar in death were his parents; his wife; brother, Clifford; and sister, Mary Ann; step son, Robert Holland; and son-in-law, Jerry Clark.
He is survived by his daughters, Tammy Clark, and Laura (Tony) Pyburn; son, Delmar Johnson, Jr.; step sons, Charles Holland, and Bruce Holland; stepdaughter, Suzanne (Jerry) Feine; grandchildren, Christine Austin, Joshua Clark, Matthew (Anna) Pyburn, and Grady (Krista) Pyburn; great grandchildren, Devon Clark, Alexis Clark, Lacey Clark, Macey Pyburn, Maria Pyburn, Daxton Pyburn, and Kaycee Pyburn.
There will be a celebration of Delmar’s life at a later date.
Cards and memorials can be sent in care of Delmar Johnson, Jr., 510 2nd Avenue SW Austin, MN 55912.
Arrangements by Clasen-Jordan Mortuary.
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