1927
Oreland
2018
Oreland Johnson
April 28, 1927 — February 19, 2018
Oreland Renhold Johnson, passed away, at the age of 90, peacefully in his home, February 19th, in Red Wing MN.
Born in 1927 in Minneapolis, and raised primarily in Excelsior, Oreland grew up with a curious mind, taking great interest in creative endeavors. From spending Saturday afternoons roaming the MIA as a child, to editing his high school paper, it was a summer scholarship to the McGill-McCormick School of Journalism at Northwestern University that ended up guiding his time in the Navy. Post boot camp, he became a reporter for the Bluejacket, a WWII service newspaper, where he eventually became the editor.
Once discharged, he went on to attend Gustavus Adolphus College, where he edited the school newspaper and the annual, and met his wife Arlene. He then moved on to the Business School at the U of MN. While at school, he and his friend, Sam Hertogs, opened the Round Up Drive Inn on a busy corner west of Excelsior. They ran it for 3 years before selling. After graduation he pursued a career in advertising. It wasn't long before his entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and he started his own agency where he would spend the next 26 years evolving and co-owning the company. During this time he worked with a diverse set of clients, one of the most memorable projects being the naming of Apple Valley, a Minneapolis suburb. He served as the President of the N.W. Council of Advertising Agencies, and was active in the Advertising Club, the Jr. Chamber of Commerce, and the Sales Executive Club. Outside of work, he stayed close to his roots by serving on the board of the Leukemia Society and was President of the congregation of the Oak Knoll Lutheran Church.
After leaving the ad world, he retired to Red Wing MN, where he and his wife would build their third home. Here he returned to his creative side. For him, watercolor painting was both a practice in the creative process and his perfectionist tendencies. He often drew inspiration from his travels across the globe. From the streets of San Miguel, to the canals in Venice, to the farmland in his own backyard, Oreland found beauty in every corner of the world. He served as a member of the Northstar, Midwest Watercolor societies, as well as a Signature Member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club and served for 2 years as president of the Red Wing Chapter of SCORE.
Above all, his family was his pride. To be loved by Oreland was to be reminded of your life's potential and to have your gifts be seen and fostered. His innate curiosity, thoughtfulness and strength set a foundation of limitless opportunity for those in his path. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Arlene Johnson, and their three children, Craig Johnson (LuAnne) of Tucson, Seri Yeckel (John) of Bainbridge Island and Lisa Staples of Afton. Grandchildren Andrew, Mari, Hilary, Kelly, Madeline, Cole. Great-grandchildren Ben, Tate and Soren. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to The Leukemia Society, The American Diabetes Association and Golden Kiwanis, donors choice. A memorial service will be held at United Lutheran Church 628 West 6th Street in Red Wing on March 24 at 1 P.M. Visitation will be open one hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
Born in 1927 in Minneapolis, and raised primarily in Excelsior, Oreland grew up with a curious mind, taking great interest in creative endeavors. From spending Saturday afternoons roaming the MIA as a child, to editing his high school paper, it was a summer scholarship to the McGill-McCormick School of Journalism at Northwestern University that ended up guiding his time in the Navy. Post boot camp, he became a reporter for the Bluejacket, a WWII service newspaper, where he eventually became the editor.
Once discharged, he went on to attend Gustavus Adolphus College, where he edited the school newspaper and the annual, and met his wife Arlene. He then moved on to the Business School at the U of MN. While at school, he and his friend, Sam Hertogs, opened the Round Up Drive Inn on a busy corner west of Excelsior. They ran it for 3 years before selling. After graduation he pursued a career in advertising. It wasn't long before his entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and he started his own agency where he would spend the next 26 years evolving and co-owning the company. During this time he worked with a diverse set of clients, one of the most memorable projects being the naming of Apple Valley, a Minneapolis suburb. He served as the President of the N.W. Council of Advertising Agencies, and was active in the Advertising Club, the Jr. Chamber of Commerce, and the Sales Executive Club. Outside of work, he stayed close to his roots by serving on the board of the Leukemia Society and was President of the congregation of the Oak Knoll Lutheran Church.
After leaving the ad world, he retired to Red Wing MN, where he and his wife would build their third home. Here he returned to his creative side. For him, watercolor painting was both a practice in the creative process and his perfectionist tendencies. He often drew inspiration from his travels across the globe. From the streets of San Miguel, to the canals in Venice, to the farmland in his own backyard, Oreland found beauty in every corner of the world. He served as a member of the Northstar, Midwest Watercolor societies, as well as a Signature Member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club and served for 2 years as president of the Red Wing Chapter of SCORE.
Above all, his family was his pride. To be loved by Oreland was to be reminded of your life's potential and to have your gifts be seen and fostered. His innate curiosity, thoughtfulness and strength set a foundation of limitless opportunity for those in his path. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Arlene Johnson, and their three children, Craig Johnson (LuAnne) of Tucson, Seri Yeckel (John) of Bainbridge Island and Lisa Staples of Afton. Grandchildren Andrew, Mari, Hilary, Kelly, Madeline, Cole. Great-grandchildren Ben, Tate and Soren. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to The Leukemia Society, The American Diabetes Association and Golden Kiwanis, donors choice. A memorial service will be held at United Lutheran Church 628 West 6th Street in Red Wing on March 24 at 1 P.M. Visitation will be open one hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Visitation
MAR 24. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (CDT)
United Lutheran Church628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
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