- Date Of Birth: April 9, 1917
- Date Of Death: December 9, 2006
- State: Minnesota
Alvin Johnston of Warroad passed away on December 9, 2006, at the Roseau Area Hospital in Roseau. He was 89 years old.
Alvin Johnston’s Legacy lives on in his historical book, A Time to Fish and a Time to Dry Nets, covering the history of the Warroad area. The story Winter Fishing and Slush was included in the Walker Art Center’s exhibit titled Skyways, stories of the outdoors.
Alvin was a commercial fisherman for decades on the lake and later was known to drop a line in and drift the Lake, trading in his fishing boat for a pleasure craft. Alvin ran Blue Mist Fur Farm for many years and topped the market at the New York Auction Company with his black mink pelts, featured in an article in Woman’s Wear Daily. When in New York City, Alvin brought back cultural icons such as the first Beatles LP to the Northern MN area, and saw Camelot on Broadway with President-elect John F. Kennedy in attendance.
He was a lobbyist and spokesperson for area commercial fisherman and his influential speeches were known throughout the capital and state. He was instrumental in writing game and fish laws in MN. Alvin was a member of the Masonic Lodge, served on the draft board, the school board, was an active member of the American Legion for 59 years. He served in the Army Air Corp., was the Coast Guard Civilian Lamplighter on Lake of the Woods for 35 years. He was founder of Lakewood Park and Sales Inc. He shared these accomplishments with his wife Alberta as they worked together to create a living and a good life. Their last 47 years were spent on “the farm” located on the banks of the Warroad River.
Alvin Edward Johnston was born on April 9, 1917 in Warroad, MN. He was proceeded in death by his parents Albert and Mabel Johnston, Sister Vernabelle Henderson, Brother Dorrance Johnston and nephew Vernon Nash. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Alberta Agnes Atwater Johnston; his son Arthur Edward and daughter, Arlene Elouise both of Duluth, and son Alan (Nadine) Bruce Johnston of Warroad, eight grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
