John Gilford Johnson (1912 - 2015)

Born 18 Apr 1912 in Hamlet Township, North Dakota, United States

Died 10 Jan 2015 at age 102 in Bemidji, Minnesota, United States

Biography

Obituary

John Gilford Johnson, 102, of Bemidji, MN died Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Goldpine Home in Bemidji. John was born on a farm near Mohall, North Dakota April 18, 1912 to August and Gunda Johnson. It was here that he enjoyed his brothers and sisters and developed his work ethic. He left school in the 10th grade to help his family with living expenses, ultimately moving to the west coast, where he worked in the ship yards during World War II. Returning to the mid-west he went to work as a carpenter, where he spent most of his life working in commercial construction for McGough Construction. It was during this period in his life he was offered the opportunity to work as a foreman on the crew that was constructing St. John’s University Abbey church. John never married, as such, his focus was his work, love of wood working and in later years his family. Upon retirement, John moved back to Mohall, North Dakota where he lived and enjoyed his brother Jim and continued his love of wood working. He loved to talk about some very special pieces he created which were a part of his living space in Bemidji, Minnesota. He and his brother Arthur lived several years in Bemidji, where they were better able to enjoy family and the services of Gold Pine Assisted Living. John’s family was the beneficiary of his quiet demeanor, his smile and positive attitude. He was an ardent fan of Public Radio and even as the years took his hearing, his family made possible the ability to stay in touch with the world through hearing devices. Longevity runs in the Johnson family genes, with John marking his 100th birthday in 2012. This was a milestone in his life, which he looked forward to with great anticipation. He loved the attention and celebration, which was facilitated by Gold Pine staff, family and Bemidji’s mayor who provided John with a certificate of recognition for turning 100. Family preceding John in death include his parents, his brothers, Jim, Clarence and Arthur and sisters Joyce Johnson Larson and Ovedia Johnson Jensen. He is survived by his brother Melvin (Ruth) Johnson and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at the Mohall cemetery in Mohall, North Dakota in late spring where John will rest with his parents and brother.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.ceasefuneralhome.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=2939819&fh_id=11968