Bernard Michael Johnson

Bernard Michael Johnson, 72, of Esko and Cloquet, died Sunday, August 7, 2011 in Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospital, Duluth. He was born in 1938 in Cloquet, the son of Wallace and Ann Johnson. Bernie married Margaret Poferl at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cloquet on May 19, 1962. Bernie taught 6th grade and Phy Ed in Carlton and coached high school track, football and basketball. After his retirement, he coached youth sports in Cloquet. Bernie dearly loved his family and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at the hunting shack. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Rico, Kathleen Johnson and Carol Lou Cope; brothers, Ronald, Jack, and Jimmy Johnson, and an infant brother, Randolph Johnson. Bernie was deeply loved and will be missed by his wife, Margie of Esko; daughters, Jill (Tim) Hauch of Maple Grove and Katie Johnson of Cloquet; sons, John (Sara) of Esko, Randy (Melissa) and Kevin, both of Cloquet; 17 grandchildren, Jenna and Eryn Hauch, Holly (Kevin) Karjala, Ashley (Kenny) Heehn, Megan and Elsa Johnson, Catie Pfisthner, Ryan Schuman, Kerrissa Johnson, Aundraya Schuman, Tanner and Sophia Johnson, Alex and Nate Johnson, and Cole, Hayden and Eva Johnson; 2 great grandsons, William and Mikko Karjala; brothers, Harold (Gwen), Craig, and Wally Johnson, all of Cloquet; sisters, Maryanne Clark of Indiana, Barb Dahl (Bill Williams) of Cloquet, and Cheryl (Stan) Lamb of Culver and a sister-in-law, Pat Johnson of Cloquet. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Chris Jensen Nursing Home and Essentia Health St. Mary's 3rd floor Hospice Unit for the loving and compassionate care given to Bernie and the his family. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, August 12, 2011 in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 102 4th Street, Cloquet. Burial was in New Calvary Cemetery, Cloquet.