Lloyd M. Johnson, age 75, resident of Lakota, ND, died Sunday, July 12, 2009 at his home in Lakota.

Lloyd was born May 13, 1934 on his grandparent's farm in Center Township of Nelson County, ND to Ole and Clara (Nelson) Johnson. Lloyd was raised in McVille, ND, and attended school there through the 10 th grade. His family moved to Lakota in 1949, where Lloyd graduated high school in 1952. He joined the U.S. Army on May 4, 1954 and served at Ft. Leonardwood, MO. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Private. Lloyd married Diane Bjerke on April 9, 1960 at Doyon, ND. They lived in Lakota, where Lloyd worked as an auto body repairman at Solberg Motors for 19 years. In 1979 he began operating his own auto body shop in Lakota. Lloyd “semi” retired in 1998. He was very active in the Rundell-Holicky American Legion Post # 21 at Lakota. He was a life time member and served as a past commander. Lloyd was a past member of the Lakota Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Lakota Lutheran Church, where he also sang in the church choir. Lloyd enjoyed hunting, having coffee with the guys, and watching his grandchildren at sporting events, as he was a good supporter of Raider sports and American Legion Baseball. He loved to watch the Minnesota Twins, Fighting Sioux Hockey, and he was a fair weather Minnesota Viking fan.

Lloyd will be greatly missed by his wife, Diane Johnson; 2 daughters, Lori Bazal and Lynette (Steve) Smaage, all of Lakota; 4 grandchildren, Brandie Bazal (Josh Ulland) of Minot, ND, Allie (Chad) Knudson of Kasson, MN, Seth Smaage and Levi Smaage, both of Lakota; 2 great grandsons, Tommy Ulland and Slade Knudson; 1 brother, Gordon (Delores) Johnson of Grand Forks, ND; 1 sister, Angie Halvorson of Tolna, ND; his brother-in-law, Roger (Benita) Bjerke of Hampton, VA; many nieces & nephews; and his cat, Sunny.

Lloyd is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Rosemond Torkelsen; and 3 brothers-in-law, Roger Halvorson, Oscar Torkelsen, and Larry Bjerke.

Lloyd's Funeral Service will be held at the Lakota Lutheran Church of Lakota, ND, on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.