Johnson, Bruce Stanley
known as coach “BJ” and “Beef” age 88, passed away peacefully on July 21st, 2023 at the Cokato Manor. He was born April 25, 1935 in Cokato, MN to Addie and Stanley Johnson. Bruce attended Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN and was a member of the National Guard. He was united in marriage to Gloria Dahlberg on June 8, 1957. They were married for 66 years. This union was blessed with 2 children, Denise and Scott. Bruce taught history in the Anoka Hennepin School District. He was an outstanding cross country and track coach, inducted into the Anoka High School Hall of Fame in September of 2016. He was honored as Minnesota Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1975. Bruce served as Mayor of Cokato for 12 years after retiring from teaching.
Survived by his wife, Gloria, daughter Denise Johnson, son, Scott (Sue) Johnson, grandchildren, Weston (Kristin) Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Marissa (Ross) Orrock, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Memorial service at 2 PM on Thur. July 27, 2023 with visitation 1 hr. prior at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534
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