Wallace Johnson

Wallace Myron Johnson, 80, of Grand Forks, passed away Monday, October 20, 2014, peacefully in the presence of his family, following a short battle with cancer. Wallace was born on March 29, 1934 in Grand Forks to Rueben and Luella (Hagen) Johnson. He graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1952. After high school he entered the US Army in 1953 and served as a radio specialist with the Seattle Defense Unit. Upon his discharge from military service he worked as a switchman for the Great Northern Railroad. He married Carol Louise Montreuil on November 3, 1956 and they lived in Grand Forks. On July 14, 1957 he began his career as a police officer on the Grand Forks Police Department. In 1965 he was promoted to Lieutenant and was a patrol commander until 1970 when he transferred to the investigation division which he supervised. He attended numerous police training schools and graduated from the FBI Academy and Southern Police Academy. He retired on March 29, 1996 after serving 37 ½ years for the city. He very much enjoyed fishing and other sports, and spending a lot of summer time with his family at their cabin on Strawberry Lake in Minnesota. He is survived by a son, David (Michelle) Johnson of Grand Forks; daughters, Kim Anderson of San Diego, CA, Vicki (Michael) Johansen, Norfork, AR; 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Carol, daughter Julie Janes, his parents, and brothers, Raymond, Dennis, and Gary. A special thank you is extended by the family to Altru Cancer Center and Altru Hospice. Memorial Services: will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2014 in United Lutheran Church, 324 Chestnut St., Grand Forks with visitation one hour prior to the service in church.