Richard L. "Dick" Johnson

Richard "Dick" Lowell Johnson, age 77 of Hastings, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, April 14, 2022, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Dick was born on January 29, 1945, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, to Lowell and Hazel (Neunsinger) Johnson, the second of twelve children. Dick grew up in Mankato, Minnesota, and later moved to Janesville where he graduated with the class of 1963. Following his graduation, Dick enlisted in the National Guard and served for six years. It was also in Janesville that he met his future wife, Reba Wiste, and they were later married on August 26, 1968. After starting a family, they moved to Northfield while Dick found his niche in the jewelry industry. In 1985, Dick and Reba opened R.L. Johnson Jewelers in Hastings where they raised their four children, Becca, Tom, Dan, and Andrea. Dick and Reba worked hard to build their business and ran the store with honesty and integrity for twenty-seven years until their retirement in 2011. Faith and family were the foundation of Dick's life. He loved his wife, children, and nine grandchildren more than anything. He was an active and engaged member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church where his strong faith was an inspiration to many. Dick, aka "Pa", was a professional teaser who could put you at ease and make a person laugh five minutes after meeting them. If you saw Dick walking towards you, you always knew a good one-liner was on the way! He enjoyed traveling, especially to National Parks, with Reba, spending many weekends up at the cabin, taking long morning walks with his favorite pup Lady, and attending his children and grandchildren's many functions. Even though he was an avid Minnesota sports fan, the St. Louis Cardinals were at the top of his list and would always look forward to the annual summer baseball trips with his good buddies. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Ruth Wiste; brothers-in-law, Everett Adams, John Fury, Duane Ruedy, and Ron Wiste; sister-in-law, Thelma Wiste; and by his nephew, Keith Wiste. Dick is survived by his loving wife of fifty-four years, Reba Johnson of Hastings; children, Becca (Tim) Johnson Teuber of Cottage Grove, Tom (Nikki) Johnson of Hastings, Dan (Sara) Johnson of Cottage Grove, and Andrea Johnson of Hastings; grandchildren, Noah Teuber, Abraham Teuber, Gideon Teuber, Solomon Teuber, Moses Teuber, Sophia Johnson, Taylor Johnson, Lydia Johnson, and Gwenyth Johnson; siblings, Barb (Wayne) Senne of Princeton, Judy Adams of Janesville, Mary Fury of Verona, WI, Jim Johnson of Monona, IA, Rob (Jill) Johnson of Janesville, Bill (Roberta) Johnson of Mankato, Maggie Ruedy of St, Clair, Susan Johnson of Janesville, Teresa Johnson of Waterville, Deb (Scott) Purvis of Northfield, and Beth Johnson of Janesville; brother-in-law, Roger Wiste of Black River Falls, WI; sister-in-law, Peggy Wiste of Mankato; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Private family interment will be held at the Janesville Cemetery. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and to a light reception immediately following the Mass, all at church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Lung Association or to the donor's choice in memory of Dick. Arrangements are being completed by the Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.