minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. His wife of 21 years, Avonelle Johnson, died of cancer in 2005. Johnson later remarried. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College, a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is a chaplain holding a general's rank in the National Guard. In 2007, he was selected as a Regent of the University of Minnesota. He was re-elected in 2013. See also List of American politicians who switched parties in office References External links Dean Johnson Biography – University of Minnesota Board of Regents 1947 births Living people People from Lanesboro, Minnesota American Lutherans Minnesota Republicans Minnesota Democrats Minnesota state senators People from Willmar, Minnesota United States Army generals Luther College (Iowa) alumni 21st-century American politicians Military personnel from Iowa Military personnel from Minnesota