Lowell E. Johnson

Lowell Johnson died of MS complications on March 5, 2014 at his home of 20 years in Bozeman, Montana. He was born on the family farm March 6, 1935 in Roseau, MN to Ernest and Edda (Berentzen) Johnson. Following graduation in 1953 from Roseau High School and from the University of Minnesota in1958 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he was employed by Caterpillar Tractor in Peoria, Il for 35 years until his retirement in 1990. He enjoyed the work he did and the folks with whom he worked. While at the E Peoria plant he was credited with 13 patents dealing with torque converters, drive train and retarders. In 1984 he transferred to another facility and worked on advanced power train systems. He married Marcia Davidson on Dec 27, 1 959 in Silver Bay, MN. Their sons, Brian, Craig, and Keith, provided opportunity for Lowell's participation in Cub Scouts, Christ Church, as well as the boys' interests in cross-country, skiing, hockey, scouting, music, motocross, hunting, photography, and cars. He was a hobbyist who taught himself dark room developing, wood work, a lot of home shop projects; he designed the family home in Germantown Hills. The highlight of most summers was a family camping vacation to the Rocky Mountain west. In 1978 Lowell and Marcia became foster parents through Catholic Social Service and over a period of 10 years were 'parents' to four Vietnamese or Laotian refugee teens and one American. Diagnosed with MS at 49 Lowell decided to retire as soon as possible to enjoy whatever years of mobility and well-being he had. Following his 1990 retirement at age 55 Lowell and Marcia moved to the Bitterroot Valley of Montana where the previous summer they'd, on impulse, bought a small log home. Lowell found a myriad of projects to enjoy on the 10 acres with out-buildings. In 1994 they moved to Bozeman where son Keith and family had moved. They loved the neighborhood that adopted them and their view of the mountains as well as the day trips to Yellowstone Park. As Lowell's mobility diminished he pursued more computer-driven projects and designs, the most recent was the challenging and rewarding 3D printer. His attitude was almost always positive, speaking of his MS only when pointedly asked. He is survived by his wife Marcia; Brian and his wife Eileen of Visalia, CA; Craig of Centennial, WY; and Keith of Bozeman, MT; grandsons Danny, Andrew, and Nick; and granddaughter Jessica. There are no services planned. The family requests that any gifts in Lowell's memory be offered to Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2118 S Third, Bozeman MT 59715, or Gallatin Valley Land Trust, PO Box 7021 Bozeman MT 59771, or to their local food bank.