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.
Monday, November 6, 2023
1:30 - 5:00 pm (Central time)
Hibbing Memorial Arena
Livestream
Program will start at 3:30 pm
Monday, November 6, 2023
3:30 - 5:00 pm (Central time)
Hibbing Memorial Arena
Livestream
Visits: 61429
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