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 North昀eld 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
