Julian J. Johnson

Julian “Jul” J. Johnson, 90, of Watertown and formerly of Bryant, South Dakota, passed away May 10, 2026, at Avantara Care Center in Lake Norden, South Dakota.

A visitation will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.  Graveside services will follow at Our Redeemer Lutheran Cemetery in Bryant, South Dakota, with Pastor Colin Beveridge officiating.

Julian was born September 24, 1935, in Hendricks, Minnesota, to Peter and Agnes (Graislie) Johnson. He attended rural schools and grew up learning the value of hard work at an early age. On September 8, 1956, he was united in marriage to LaVonne Anderson. Together they built a life in the Bryant and Hamlin County area and raised their family.

Julian worked for several area farmers before beginning his career as a mechanic with Kruse Implement and later Beckstrand Implement. Eventually, he purchased the mechanical portion of the business and later bought Parliament Garage, where he established his own shop, Jul’s Service. His business grew to include the selling of campers, toppers and Polaris snowmobiles. Known for being able to fix nearly anything, he worked on campers, snowmobiles, cars, and just about everything else brought through his doors, however, his favorite was old John Deere tractors. His mechanical talent and willingness to help others became well known throughout the community. Jul closed the shop for business the first part of June 2005, but could be found tinkering around there until into his late 80’s.

In 1989, Julian met Audrey West, and the two became lifelong companions. He later moved to Watertown but continued making trips back to Bryant to work on projects and visit friends. Even in retirement, he stayed busy doing various jobs around the Watertown area.

Julian enjoyed attending threshing shows in Twin Brooks, and Prairie Village in Madison, SD.  He also loved camping, hunting, fishing, and spending time around race cars, even driving his own race car for a few years in the early 1960s. Above all, he treasured the people he met along the way and the memories made with family and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Jeff Johnson of Bryant, SD, and Peggy (Steve) Namken of Hayti, SD; his special friend and companion, Audrey West of Watertown, SD; his sister, Arlene Stonefield of Sioux Falls, SD; 7 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Terry; infant daughter, Julie; his brother, Joel; and brother-in-law, Roucal Stonefield and a host of other close friends and relatives.

Julian will be remembered for his strong work ethic, mechanical skill, quick wit, and the friendships he built throughout his life.

A special thank you to all of the staff at Avantara-Lake Norden for the great care and kindness shown to Jul and his family during his stay.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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