Stuart Johnson

Stuart Johnson was born to William and Gwen (Skog) Johnson on March 10,1947, in the hospital in Fort Dodge, the first in the family not born at home.  He was the middle of the three Johnson boys, Craig, Stu and Phil.  He had a wonderful childhood in Albert City, matriculated from AC/T, and went to Iowa State University in Ames.  There he focused on mechanical engineering and met his future wife, Kristen Hurty.  After co-oping, joining the National Guard, and marrying Kris, they moved to the Twin Cities.  In October of 1970 he became the father to Amy Beth, and began his long career in medical device manufacturing.  After twelve years there, having conquered fishing, tenting and a long string of used cars, he jumped on an opportunity to start a company in Dallas, TX.   

The family moved to Plano, and enjoyed having a backyard pool and much less winter.  Kris and Stu lived in Plano for thirty+ happy years, with Stu moving up the ranks of medical device companies; he worked on pacemakers, bone growth stimulators, and deep brain stimulation, eventually becoming Vice President of Manufacturing.  As Kris progressed in her Multiple Sclerosis, Stu took care of her and did everything he could to make life better for her.  Stu eventually decided to take early retirement, and he changed direction: he started and ran a church serving the homeless and released criminals, and owned an exotic wood business and others where they could work. King of Glory Church ran for 10 years.  In the late 2000's Stu decided to move back to Albert City, to be near his mother, Gwen.  He and Kris lived on 4th Ave. for seven years, and Stu was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and the community.  He bought the old Senior Center in downtown Albert City, and turned it in Helping Hand, a food/ clothes pantry, which is still being run as a non-profit by a group of churches in the area.  While living in Albert City, Stu began to suffer from Frontotemportal Dementia (FTD).  In 2015, Amy moved her parents back to Plano, where they lived in senior care living. His last four years were back in Texas; he was happy to be near his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters.  He had a winning smile and a friendly handshake for everyone, even as the FTD plowed through his brain. He was a unique man, with enormous engineering talent, a giant heart for helping others, and a life devoted to God.  He was wonderful father and husband. His mother Gwen, father William and older brother Craig preceded him in death   He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kristen, his daughter, Amy Beth (Dave Brandon), and his two granddaughters, Emma and Annabel, as well as his brother, Phil Johnson.  He has sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews in Minnesota, and hordes of cousins and extended family in Iowa and Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers or donation, the family requests donations to the Helping Hand Food Pantry in Albert City.  A memorial service will be held in the middle of the year; details will be announced when they are determined.

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