Eugene ‘Gene’ Charles Johnson, 84, of Austin, died Thursday afternoon, Dec. 13, 2012, at Our House Memory Care, Austin. Eugene was born July 2, 1928, at the family’s Oak Lawn Farm in Albert Lea, the son of Percy and Mae (Stephan) Johnson. He was the third child and had three brothers, Robert (Bud), Clare (Dick), and Ronald (Ronnie).

After serving in the United States Army in the Occupational Forces in Italy from 1946 until March 1948, Eugene married Betty Keith on Oct. 8, 1950, in Albert Lea. He was employed at Wilson & Co. and also farmed. In 1969, the couple moved to Austin and then to Brownsdale, where he continued to farm. For 15 years, Gene and Betty owned and operated the Old Colony Home in Austin. He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. After retirement, he enjoyed walking all around Austin and visiting with people that he met. Eugene and Betty were often seen on Sunday afternoons driving in the country to check on their farms and crops. For the last few weeks they enjoyed watching momma deer and her twins live in their backyard.

Loved ones include his wife Betty Johnson of Austin; two daughters, Peggy (Cletus) Ratigan of Austin and Nancy (Trent) Robertson of St. Cloud; one son Randy Johnson of Brownsdale; nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Ty) Vlasaty, Kelly Oliver, Eric (Kelly) Johnson, Mark (Hannah) Ratigan, Brendan Johnson, Quentin Robertson, Natasha Robertson, Victori Robertson, Mikayla Robertson; five great-grandchildren, Emily Oliver, Emma Johnson, Mya Johnson, Noah Oliver, Caleb Ratigan; one brother Ronald (Faye) Johnson of Prattville, Ala.; sisters-in-law, MariLynn Johnson of Rochester and Donna Giordano of Vail, Colo.; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Percy and Mae Johnson; brothers Robert and Clare; sisters-in-law Sophie Johnson and Maxine Anderson; brothers-in-law Gilbert Giordano and Kenny Anderson; in-laws Ervin and Esther Stanton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Austin, with the Rev. Brian Krueger officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery with full military rites by VFW Post No. 1216 and American Legion Post No. 91. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Memorials can be directed to Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.