Arlee Johnson

Arlee Van Johnson passed away Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, MT. He was rushed there by helicopter after suffering a severe stroke. His children were with him and remained by his side until the time of his passing. They wish to thank Benefis Teton Medical Center in Choteau and Benefis Hospital in Great Falls for their excellent care, kindness and compassion toward Arlee at the end of his life.



Arlee was born June 28, 1946 at the Columbus Hospital in Great Falls, MT to Chris and Marguerite Johnson. He was the second of three children born to the couple. He attended elementary school and high school in Choteau, MT. In high school, Arlee was a member of the Choteau Swim Team.



A short time after graduation from high school, Arlee joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Lackland AFB in Lackland, TX. When he finished his time in the military, Arlee returned to Choteau where he worked in construction and excelled in drywall. He was sought after by many contractors for his expertise in this area. Arlee met and married Ellen Gauthier and they had two children before they divorced.



Arlee’s favorite days were spent hunting and fishing. Fishing especially was a love given to him by his mother, Marguerite. As young children, he and his brother Forrest Lee spent every possible moment fishing with their mom. He also spent lots of time in the mountains. Arlee truly loved observing and experiencing nature. He could be seen almost every day driving somewhere on the backroads or headed to town from up in the mountains.



There is no doubt that Arlee marched to a different drummer; some may have envied him his unconventional lifestyle. He remains in our memory as a great example of living life on your own terms. He loved to tell stories; his laughter was contagious. He would give a friend the shirt off his back and never hesitate to help a stranger. Because of all his travels, he was known by a great many people and was well-liked by all. Jerry Luinstra was his closest friend and truly a brother to Arlee; the family wishes to acknowledge him for his devoted friendship. Arlee never forgot to keep in close touch with Aunt Irene, Aunt Jody and Aunt Doris, his mother’s youngest sisters who were very dear to him.



After his passing, Arlee was cremated by Frontier Funeral Home. Arlee was preceded in death by his father, Chris (1981), his mother, Marguerite (2006), and his brother, Forrest Lee (2017). He is survived by his sister, Carolyn Harrison, Lolo, MT; his son, Lee, Great Falls, MT; his daughter, Kelly, Missoula, MT; and his granddaughter Drew, Lake Stevens, WA. Arlee leaves behind nieces, nephews, and cousins; his aunts Irene Torgerson, Jody Gebhart and Doris Shumacher as well as numerous dear friends. A celebration of life will be held at the Stage Stop Inn in Choteau on October 3, time TBA.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/18d3229c