Adam Robert Johnson

Adam Robert Johnson

June 22, 1994   October 28, 2023

Adam R. Johnson, 29, Grand Rapids, MN, passed away Saturday,

October 28, 2023. He was born on June 22, 1994 to Davey and Sue Johnson in

Hibbing, MN. Adam graduated from Hibbing High School with the class of 2013.

He was a dedicated student and athlete. He played both tennis and hockey in

which he was a state qualifier in both sports. He went on to play hockey for the

Indiana Ice, Sioux City Musketeers, UMD Bulldogs, and continued on to

professionally play for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh Penguins,

Malmo Redhawks, Ontario Reign, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Augsburger

Panthers and, most recently, the Nottingham Panthers.

Adam loved the outdoors and the simple things in life. He enjoyed yard

work, fishing, golfing with buddies, playing in the Iron Ice hockey tournament,

projects around the house, reading, following the stock market and listening to

his favorite music. Adam especially enjoyed his quiet coffee time with his fiancée

Ryan, dreaming about their future, and taking in the mornings together. Adam

loved to live a slower life and took pleasure in the small, everyday things. Simple

pleasures Adam enjoyed were manually grinding his coffee beans, seeing the

colors of each sunset, sitting lakeside by a bonfire with a glass of his favorite red

wine, and trying out new dinner recipes. But more than anything, he loved a good

deal on Costco steaks. He loved to be out pontooning with his future in-laws on

Swan lake, making memories at the Pig's Eye, and family get-togethers. Adam

and Ryan were lucky enough to have had many travels and enjoyed taking in the

beauty of the world together. From Christmas markets in Germany to pistachio

gelato in Italy, Adam found something to love everywhere.

Adam had a quiet confidence about him and was never boastful. He was

never looking to be the center of attention, but rather he preferred to listen to

others and do what he could to make them feel important. He was many things to

many people, but to those who were lucky enough to be loved by Adam knew he

was thoughtful, patient and genuinely authentic. He loved his fiancée, family, and

friends above all else. His loving and quiet demeanor will be eternally missed.

Adam spent a lot of time with his brother Ryan. Whether that was fishing,

hunting, completing projects together, playing against each other in local hockey

tournaments, or having intimate moments just talking about life. Ryan and Adam

had an unbreakable bond. A true definition of how siblings were meant to be.

Ryan always supported his little brother’s ideas no matter how far fetched they

were. Adam knew that if there was anything in life he ever needed, Ryan was

always there.

Adam also had a wonderful bond with his sister-in-law, Ebony (Ryan)

Johnson. Adam and Ebony’s friendship began as rivals when they were tied for

the Presidential Fitness Award in third grade, but as years went on, their

competitive friendship grew into sibling love. In 2018, Ryan and Ebony welcomed

Adam’s nephew Grant into the world. Adam was immediately captivated by him.

The love Adam had for his number one fan is something that will never be

forgotten. Adam was immensely proud to be his Uncle. Following Grant came his

niece Britta. Adam’s heart was so filled with love between the two of them, and

he never fell short of growing his bond with each one. From endless laughs

wrestling at Nana’s, to trips to Arizona, to hours of facetiming when he was away,

they were two of the brightest lights in Adam’s life that could truly never be

dimmed.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Stanley Johnson, and

cousin, Jacob Stejskal.

He is survived by his mother, Susan Johnson, Grand Rapids, MN, father,

David Johnson, Hibbing, MN, brother, Ryan (Ebony) Johnson, Hibbing, fiancée,

Ryan Wolfe, Grand Rapids, MN, his paternal grandmother Marilyn Johnson, Kelly

Lake, maternal grandparents, Robert and Marlys DeGrio, Grand Rapids, MN, his

aunts, Laurie Johnson, Moberly, MO, Kari Johnson, Kelly Lake, MN, Debbie

DeGrio, Eden Prairie, MN, and Lynn (Frank) DeGrio Scherf, Cohasset, MN,

uncle, Gary (Cindy) DeGrio, Grand Rapids, MN, Dr. Dennis Smith MO, his great-

aunt, Darlene DeGrio, Duluth, MN, nieces, Sofia Gjerdahl, Britta Johnson, nephew

Grant Johnson and cousins, Angie (Mason) Farrell Arie (Angie) DeGrio,  Joe (Jessica) Stejskal,

Raynee (Matt) Revard, Gabe Stejskal, Shane (Cailey Seanger) Greniger,  Markie (Rick) Guerra,  

and Sarah (Cole Larson) Stejskal and numerous friends, teammates, and fans.

All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life from 1:30-5:00 pm

Monday, November 6, 2023 at the Memorial Building Arena in Hibbing, MN. The

program will begin at 3:30 pm. There will be a private funeral Mass for family

and close friends at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing on Sunday

for those who wish to take part in the Eucharistic offering for the soul of Adam

and his loved ones. The Rev. Fr. Daniel Weiske will celebrate the Mass of

Christian Burial. The Revs. Fr. Blake Rozier, Fr. Bill Skarich, and Fr. Gabriel

Waweru will co-celebrate.

Streaming info for Celebration of life: https://www.youtube.com/hibbingsports

Memorials to the Adam Johnson “For the Love of Hibbing and Hockey

Memorial Fund” can be made through the Grand Rapids Area Community

Foundation. Donate online at

https://gracf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3661

or mail or drop off at 350 NW 1st Avenue, Suite E, Grand Rapids, MN,

55744.

To leave an online message of condolence; please visit us at; www.doughertyofhibbing.com.