1934
Earnest
2017
Earnest Johnson
March 10, 1934 — November 4, 2017
Earnest "Dale" Johnson
Our dad, Dale Johnson, 83 years young of Choteau, Montana, passed away in the early hours of Nov. 4th, 2017 at Teton Medical Center in Choteau, Mt.
Dad was born in Hinsdale, Mt. to Helen Irene Johnson and Ernest Cyrus Johnson.
Dad was a very athletic boy. He excelled at football, track, and wrestling and went on to coach all of these in later years. He always had a soft spot for his teams, especially his wrestlers who he considered his "boys". He was well known for his quickness and strength.
Dad was also very musical and could play most instruments by ear, and could harmonize with anyone.
When dad was in 7th or 8th grade he entered the "Major Bowes" Talent Contest which was held in Missoula. Major Bowes was a very famous Radio Show at the time. Dad placed 2nd.
Dad played in many bands over the years and he was always up for a good "jam session". His love of music was passed on to his girls.
Dad met Ida Jane Sauke at a dance. They later married and had three daughters.
Dad and Mom loved to dance and were very good at it. They would often take "the girls" with them and dad would take turns dancing with each of them. His girls all love to dance...especially with their dad! Dad and Mom divorced in 1986
Dad was in the Navy from 1955 until 1959 on the USS Ajax. He was a Yeoman Class "A".
Dad grew up having to earn his own way and learned to be a "jack of all trades" from farming, milking cows, to digging ditches. He worked construction after the Navy and went to school. He finished his degree in 1967 by taking summer classes.
Dad worked at many schools as a teacher, principal, and a coach. He had a big impact on most of his students. He always loved helping kids succeed, especially the underdog. He taught in Greenfield, Power, Fort Shaw, Sun River, Cascade and Choteau.
After dad retired from teaching he worked at the Soil Conservation Service office in Choteau.
Dad was always in his garage working on a project or trying to finish his house.
Dad leaves behind three daughters. Laurie (Brian) Campbell of California, Kim (Herb) Gabel of Billings, Mt. And Toni (Tim) Olds of Cascade, Mt. His brother Marlin of California, a step-sister Janet of Oregon, 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and brothers Edward and Art.
A celebration of Dads life will be held on Saturday Nov. 11th at the Stage Stop Inn in Choteau, Mt. at 1:00 p.m. Please join us to raise a glass and tell some stories about our dad.
A special thanks to Teton Medical Center for their wonderful care of our dad and who loved him as much as we did. You became our family too!
In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
BTMC Foundation
Dale Johnson Memorial
915 4th St. N.W.
Choteau, Mt. 59422
Burial of ashes will be at a later date in Hinsdale, Mt.
Condolences can be left on line at: www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com
Our dad, Dale Johnson, 83 years young of Choteau, Montana, passed away in the early hours of Nov. 4th, 2017 at Teton Medical Center in Choteau, Mt.
Dad was born in Hinsdale, Mt. to Helen Irene Johnson and Ernest Cyrus Johnson.
Dad was a very athletic boy. He excelled at football, track, and wrestling and went on to coach all of these in later years. He always had a soft spot for his teams, especially his wrestlers who he considered his "boys". He was well known for his quickness and strength.
Dad was also very musical and could play most instruments by ear, and could harmonize with anyone.
When dad was in 7th or 8th grade he entered the "Major Bowes" Talent Contest which was held in Missoula. Major Bowes was a very famous Radio Show at the time. Dad placed 2nd.
Dad played in many bands over the years and he was always up for a good "jam session". His love of music was passed on to his girls.
Dad met Ida Jane Sauke at a dance. They later married and had three daughters.
Dad and Mom loved to dance and were very good at it. They would often take "the girls" with them and dad would take turns dancing with each of them. His girls all love to dance...especially with their dad! Dad and Mom divorced in 1986
Dad was in the Navy from 1955 until 1959 on the USS Ajax. He was a Yeoman Class "A".
Dad grew up having to earn his own way and learned to be a "jack of all trades" from farming, milking cows, to digging ditches. He worked construction after the Navy and went to school. He finished his degree in 1967 by taking summer classes.
Dad worked at many schools as a teacher, principal, and a coach. He had a big impact on most of his students. He always loved helping kids succeed, especially the underdog. He taught in Greenfield, Power, Fort Shaw, Sun River, Cascade and Choteau.
After dad retired from teaching he worked at the Soil Conservation Service office in Choteau.
Dad was always in his garage working on a project or trying to finish his house.
Dad leaves behind three daughters. Laurie (Brian) Campbell of California, Kim (Herb) Gabel of Billings, Mt. And Toni (Tim) Olds of Cascade, Mt. His brother Marlin of California, a step-sister Janet of Oregon, 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and brothers Edward and Art.
A celebration of Dads life will be held on Saturday Nov. 11th at the Stage Stop Inn in Choteau, Mt. at 1:00 p.m. Please join us to raise a glass and tell some stories about our dad.
A special thanks to Teton Medical Center for their wonderful care of our dad and who loved him as much as we did. You became our family too!
In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
BTMC Foundation
Dale Johnson Memorial
915 4th St. N.W.
Choteau, Mt. 59422
Burial of ashes will be at a later date in Hinsdale, Mt.
Condolences can be left on line at: www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Earnest Johnson, please visit our flower store.
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