Ardell Johnson could easily be called a man of the world. Between his military service and professional career assignments, Ardell has traveled to, and lived or served in, more than a dozen states nationwide as well as Puerto Rico, Guam and the Marshall Islands in Micronesia. At age 92, where is he choosing to spend his golden years? The Minnesota Veterans Homes - Bemidji.

The Early Years/Military Service

Ardell was born in 1933, delivered by his father on their farm in Kandiyohi, Minnesota. The youngest of six siblings — three brothers and two sisters — he was inspired by two of those brothers (Rueben and Walter, who were Army soldiers during WWII) to serve and fight for our freedoms. Rueben, an engineer, was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines while Walter drove a Sherman tank in Germany.

“I wanted to be a Marine,” Ardell says. “The draft was active when I graduated in 1952. A poker buddy suggested I look at the Marines. I went to the Naval Air Station in Minneapolis. The guard directed me to the Marine Building. When I entered, I saw pictures depicting the Marines in the Guadalcanal and thought, ‘I’ve found a home.’”

He jokingly refers to himself as a Hollywood Marine since he completed Basic Training in San Diego. Next, he attended Airman Preparation School, which provided an opportunity to familiarize himself with different jobs to be in the airwing. He chose the electronics track for his 28-week training course. Next, he attended a program in Memphis focused on radar and radios; the 28-week course required weekly tests — those who did not pass were eliminated from the program. After graduating, Ardell joined the Second Marine Airwing in Cherry Point. N.C.

Ardell was enlisted for eight years: two required active duty, three active reserve and two as a Class 3 inactive. He spent time in California, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Puerto Rico. His most memorable experience was repairing the radars that controlled the gunsight on the Fury jet fighter.

Post-Military Professional Path

When he left the service, Ardell used the GI Bill to complete a 17-month program at Northwest Electronic Institute. His first job was as a tech rep with Philco, where he instructed a radar squadron in Florida. A conversation during a visit home for the holidays led to an opportunity to work for Remington Rand/UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer). During his 28 years there, he advanced to Senior Engineer, a title he held for 15 years.

Ardell also supervised a team of engineers at the Spartan Missile Launch in 1968. He calls it, “The highlight of my life.”

His professional aspirations allowed him to travel to additional locations including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Mexico, Louisiana, Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, Mississippi, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Utah and Guam.

Ardell was able to retire at 55 and spent his time hunting and fishing on Long Lost Lake in Clearwater County.

From a personal perspective, Ardell was a devoted husband and family man. He was married to his wife Lenore for 30 years until her death in 1985. He was then married to Ruth for 37 years, until her passing last year. He has two adult daughters, Katy and Becky. His third daughter, Janet, died at the age of five years.

A New Life Begins at the Bemidji Veterans Home

Ardell just celebrated his one-year anniversary as a Veterans Home Resident. He chose this location because his daughters live in Bemidji, and he wanted to stay close to them as he transitioned to the next phase of his life. Maryhelen Chadwick, Public Affairs Coordinator, has gotten to know him well over the past two years and says he is a pleasure to be around.

“Initially, Ardell applied to be a volunteer here, but then life circumstances provided the opportunity for him to live here alongside his comrades,” notes Maryhelen. “He is smart, friendly, easy to talk to, enjoys getting out and about for activities and is a serious contract bridge player with his Veterans Home friend Dano because it helps to keep his mind sharp. He finds happiness in visiting with his military brothers, sharing stories and brightening other people’s days. Ardell simply loves life.”

A man who likes to keep busy, Ardell had previously been involved with the Civil Defense Underwater Recovery group and participating in honor guards supporting military funerals. Currently, he is active in the Marine Corps League (a Veteran service organization) and the Bemidji Senior Center (BSC). Interestingly, his daughter had suggested he would enjoy meeting people at the BSC and he did; in fact, he is now finding joy in a new relationship at 92!