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John 'Jack' H. Johnson, 96, Remembered for Decades of Service and Family Life
The longtime State Farm agent and family man passed away on February 3, 2026 in Virginia, Minnesota.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
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John 'Jack' H. Johnson, a 96-year-old resident of Virginia, Minnesota, passed away on February 3, 2026. Born in 1930 in St. Paul, Johnson had a long career as an insurance agent with State Farm, retiring after 31 years. He was married twice, first to Lorraine Lanari, who passed away in 1975, and then to Joan Barnhart Cress, who died in 2022. Johnson is survived by five children, 33 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren.
Why it matters
Johnson's life story reflects the changing demographics and family structures in northern Minnesota over the past century. As a longtime resident of the region, he experienced the economic and social shifts that transformed communities like Virginia, while maintaining a strong commitment to family and community throughout his life.
The details
John 'Jack' H. Johnson was born on January 11, 1930 in St. Paul to John G. and Veronica (née Murphy) Johnson. In 1936, his family moved to Morgan Park in Duluth, later relocating to Virginia. Johnson graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947 and the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1952. He married Lorraine Lanari in 1951 and they had five children together. After Lorraine's death in 1975, Johnson remarried to Joan Barnhart Cress in 1982, gaining seven stepchildren. Together, Johnson and Cress had a blended family of 12 children, 33 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren.
- John 'Jack' H. Johnson was born on January 11, 1930 in St. Paul.
- In 1936, Johnson's family moved to Morgan Park in Duluth, later relocating to Virginia.
- Johnson graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947 and the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1952.
- Johnson married Lorraine Lanari on June 9, 1951.
- Lorraine Lanari passed away in 1975.
- Johnson remarried to Joan Barnhart Cress on December 28, 1982.
- Joan Barnhart Cress passed away in April 2022.
- John 'Jack' H. Johnson passed away on February 3, 2026.
The players
John 'Jack' H. Johnson
A 96-year-old resident of Virginia, Minnesota who had a long career as an insurance agent with State Farm, retiring after 31 years. He was married twice, first to Lorraine Lanari and then to Joan Barnhart Cress, and had a blended family of 12 children, 33 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren.
Lorraine Lanari
Johnson's first wife, who passed away in 1975.
Joan Barnhart Cress
Johnson's second wife, who passed away in 2022.
What’s next
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, February 14, at 11 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia, with visitation held one hour prior to the mass. Inurnment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Virginia at a later date.
The takeaway
John 'Jack' H. Johnson's life story reflects the changing demographics and family structures in northern Minnesota over the past century. As a longtime resident of the region, he experienced the economic and social shifts that transformed communities like Virginia, while maintaining a strong commitment to family and community throughout his life.
