Norman Carl Johnson was called to heaven on 3/4/2025 at the age of 82. Norman was born on
Jan. 28th,1943 in Spooner MN-the oldest child of Carl and Gladys Johnson.
He was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Baudette and attended Lake of
the Woods School, graduating in 1961. Norman was united in marriage with Judy Palm on Sept
19, 1981. This union gained him 5 children and 1 grandchild.
Norman started his driving career, before graduating high school, hauling for the Airforce base
and bought his first truck shortly after. In 1990, Norman started Norman Johnson Trucking.
Norman purchased 7 other trucks and employed several family members (and a few non-family
employees). In 2017, he retired after driving for 55 years.
He became a lifetime member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. He was
also featured in the Wheels of Time Magazine, where they wrote a piece on Norman’s life and
trucking company. Later he was featured in a Trucking calendar, where his picture and truck
were proudly displayed for the month of December. Besides Norman’s family, all of whom would
describe him as a great husband/father/grandfather/and great grandfather, driving truck was
his passion. From drawing trucks on his 1 st grade homework papers to reading about trucks up
until his death.
Norman is preceded in death by two brother in-laws (David Dahl and Donald Dostall), and
nephew (Jeff Dahl).
He is survived by his wife (Judy), his 5 children-Terri Cali (Frank), Dusty Palm, Clifford Palm,
Joseph Palm (Hannah), and Merri Wiese (Dean), 2 sisters- Leanne Dahl and Lynette Dostall, and
also his niece and nephew, 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 2 great great
grandchildren.
Services will be held at the Sacred Heart Church, Friday March 21st at 11am. Interment will be
at the Elm Park Cemetery in Baudette.
Last modified: 03/07/2025
