Lon “Lonnie” Nelson Jones
March 25, 1934 – March 13, 2026
Lon “Lonnie” Nelson Jones, 91, of Two Harbors, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday,
March 13, 2026, just shy of his 92nd birthday.
Lonnie was born on March 25, 1934, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Johnny and Peggy “Bugg”
Jones. He grew up on a family dairy farm in Fort Smith and joined the United States Air Force at
18. During his service, he was stationed at the Radar Base in Finland, Minnesota, for four years.
After his time in the Air Force, Lonnie settled in Two Harbors, where he worked for several years
at Mahar Trucking before retiring from Reserve Mining Company after 30 years.
Lonnie always had a warm smile and a joke for everyone. He will be remembered for his very
distinctive whistle and infectious laugh. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, western movies, the music
of his friend Jerry Allen Hietala, but most of all loved spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Peggy Jones; his sister, Billie Jean
Demeter; and his brothers-in-law, Marvin Demeter, James Strom, and Ronald Strom.
Lonnie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Suzie (Strom) Jones; his four children, Vicki (Gunner)
Johnson, Cindi (Terry Costello) Ogren, Lonyll (Brian) Johnson, and Tricia (Dick) Kempfert; his
grandchildren, Cassi (Mike) Lee, Alicia (Justin) Norman, Gunnar (Shawna) Kempfert, Olivia
(Clay) Lewandowski, and Erika Johnson; and his great-grandchildren, Kade Norman, Karli
Norman, and Harlon Lewandowski. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Katherine Strom
and Mary Ann Strom; nephews Johnny (Tricia) Demeter, Gary (Kelly) Demeter, and Adam
Strom; niece Andrea (Scott) Oeffling; and great nephews and nieces Christopher Demeter, Alan
Demeter, Ryan Demeter, Michelle Jones, and Callahan Creech.
A celebration of Lonnie’s life will be held at the Two Harbors American Legion on Monday,
March 23, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Veterans Memorial, P.O. Box 218, Two Harbors, Minnesota 55616.
Lonnie’s kindness, humor, and love for his family will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
