Mattawa pastor Maynard Johnson passes

MATTAWA - Rev. Maynard H. Johnson, long-time pastor of Mattawa's Grace Lutheran Church and who lived an interestingly diverse life, died peacefully at home on Aug. 30 at the age of 81 in the presence of family.

Nearing the end of his life, Pastor Johnson was cared for by his wife Jan, daughter Linnea and friend David Harvill.

Maynard Johnson was born on May 9, 1930 in Sioux City, Iowa to Harold and Mae (Valentine) Johnson. He was the first of their three children.

He grew up in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Montana, working on several farms. He graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine, Wis. He was a veteran, training as a pilot at the close of World War II.

Johnson attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., graduating with a bachelor of arts in music. He earned a Masters of Music at Northwestern University.

Maynard Johnson was a professional musician. He played piano and pipe organ at numerous churches and sang basso profundo with the St. Olaf Choir. He sang and recorded with the Robert Shaw Chorale. He was the original radio voice for the Jolly Green Giant in Minneapolis.

Johnson served as Minister of Music at Elm Church at Scandia, Minn., where he built and played the pipe organ.

Johnson was also a journeyman printer, achieving that status at the age of 17. He served as vice president of North Central Publishing in St. Paul, Minn. and later had his own print shop in Stillwater, Minn.

Johnson worked as a pilot on several occasions, including a stint with United Airlnes. He was later a pastor-bush pilot in Alaska for "Wings to the North" and was also active in the National Ski Patrol.

In 1978 Johnson moved to Leavenworth, where he built his own home. He worked as a crane operator for Marsten & Marsten Lumber.

Johnson appeared in many Leavenworth Summer Theater productions. His favorite roles included Jacob Marley's Ghost in "A Christmas Carol", Grandfather in "Heidi", and Uncle Max in "The Sound of Music". He appeared in Upper Valley Connection's Peter Pan. He played with the Marlin Handbell Ringers.

Maynard Johnson became a member of the clergy later in life. He attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary, graduating with a Masters of Divinity. He was ordained a Lutheran pastor in 1983. He pastored in Mattawa for the last 17 years.

Pastor Johnson met his wife Jan Johnston in 2000 while working on a Leavenworth Summer Theater production. They married on May 12, 2007. They enjoyed working on theater productions and home projects.

Pastor Johnson is survived by his wife Jan, his sister Greta Thompson, his daughter Linnea Johnson, Linnea's mother Harriet, daughter Amy Forlan and son Greg Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Charles and his son Luther.

- Staff report