Albert Johnson Obituary Dr. Albert Rykken Johnson of East Gull Lake passed away peacefully at his Ruth Lake home at 9:19 a.m. on May 27 (Memorial Day), surrounded by his family. Albert was born on November 25, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the fourth of four children born to Albert J, a lawyer, and Olga Holie Johnson, a physician. He grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota, graduating in 1951 from Moorhead High School, where he founded and conducted the Apollo student choir and met the young woman who would become his wife of 69 years, Frances Sundstrom. He went on to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, graduating with a bachelors degree in music in 1955. Al and Francie married in May 1955 after graduating college (she from Carleton), honeymooning in Norway with the St. Olaf Choir. They then moved to New York, New York, where Albert studied orchestral conducting at the Julliard School. Albert went on to receive a masters degree from University of Illinois and a doctorate from University of Iowa, writing his dissertation on the Christiansen Choral Tradition. He taught music and conducted choirs and orchestras at several universities and high schools, also founding Brainerds Heartland Symphony Orchestra. But those are things you can read on a resume. Alberts life changed powerfully in July 1968, when he encountered Jesus Christ in a personal way. He lived out his faith in every aspect of his life, fervently loving both God and people. He was a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, and dear friend to myriad students, co-workers, choir and orchestra members, neighbors, and fellow laborers in Christ. Albert was extraordinarily generous with his time, talents, and earthly treasures. He was full of joy and loved nothing more than worshipping the Lord and time with family and friends, especially over one of Francies delicious meals or desserts. He was also an avid composer, having written 39 carols to grace the familys annual Christmas cards and countless other choral works, many of them published, and songs for each of his childrens weddings. As heaven measures greatness, Albert was a giant. Albert is survived by his wife Frances; his daughter Marcia (Donald) Saul; his daughter Kristen (John) Powell; his son Steffen (Christine) Johnson; his sister Celeste; his brother John; his grandchildren Karen (Jeffrey) Abelin, Benjamin Saul, Bethany (Erik) Beck, Britta (Jacob) Wagoner, Philip (Samantha) Saul, and Anelise, Albert Rykken (II), Steffen David, Daniel, and Brigt Johnson; and his great-grandchildren Isaiah, Bernard, and Danielle Abelin, and Raya Saul. He was predeceased by his father Albert, his mother Olga, and his sister Arlene. The funeral, followed by a reception, will be held at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter, Minnesota, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Lakewood Evangelical Free Church, Brainerd Adult & Teen Challenge, or Good Samaritan Hospice.