Ervin Dean Johnson

Ervin Johnson's obituary 2023 Ervin Dean Johnson was born on June 8, 1932, to Ernest and Louise (Wadholm) Johnson at his homenear Van Hook. He weighed only 2.5 lbs. Dr. Blatherwick told his mother that he would never survive,given his small size. Undeterred by the doctor's opinion, Ervin's grandmother, Ella Johnson, placed himin a small shoebox lined with cotton balls and kept him warm on the open wood-oven door. She fed himwith an eyedropper. Within a year, he contracted pneumonia. Grandma Johnson stewed onions inwater on top of the pot belly heater and put a wet cloth topped with the stewed onions on his chest.Ervin survived.Ervin met and married his high school sweetheart, Leone, on October 31, 1951, at Bethlehem LutheranChurch, and together they raised their six children: Sharon, Rhonda, Audrey, Dean, Penny, and Rick inSanish and New Town.Ervin was a hard worker and a man of many trades. He was a farmer and a rancher. He grew wheat,barley, oats, and flax. He raised black baldy cattle (a crossbreed of Hereford and Black Angus). Ervinsold bulk fuel for Westland Oil Co. for 17 years. He owned and operated heating and excavationbusinesses and a convenience store. He worked as a diesel mechanic before retiring at 78 in North ClarkCounty, Washington, where he lived near a son and daughter. Ervin was a mechanic and craftsman. Hewould overhaul farm and heavy equipment and, in his later years, enjoyed welding and makinghorseshoe furniture and art for his kids and grandkids. There is a little piece of Heaven in each of theirhomes.Ervin was a family man. His family always came ahead of everything else. He was caring, loving, andthoughtful to all his kids and grandkids. He was the best role model when it came to teaching how toride bikes and horses and fix cars and tractors. But most importantly, being an honest person and ahard worker, there was never an obstacle too big or a mountain too high when it came to his family. Hewould give you his last dollar or the shirt off his back.Ervin, the greatest man to bless our lives, will be deeply missed by the love of his life, his children, andtheir families.He is survived by his loving wife, Leone, Vancouver, WA; Children, Sharon (David) Lien, La Center, WA;Audrey Johnson, New Town, ND; Dean (Mary) Johnson, Amboy, WA; Penny (Paul) Fredericks, TwinButtes, ND and Rick (Kathy) Johnson, Lincoln, ND; and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildrenwho meant the world to him, sisters-in-law, Lyla Rutherford, Avondale, AZ, and Judy Johnson, Parshall,ND, and brother-in-law, Lyle Locken, New Town, ND, and many nieces and nephews.He is greeted in Heaven by his Parents; Daughter, Rhonda; Grandchildren, Sarah and Coda; Great-Grandchildren, Gracie May and Layla; his grandmother, Ella; sister, Ramona; brother LaVern; sister-in-law Donna Jackson; nieces, Dena, Shelley, Faye, and Renae, and nephew Tony.A Celebration of Life will be held on October 24, 2023, at 11:00 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, ruralNew Town, ND.

Ervin Dean Johnson

June 8, 2023 - September 23, 2023