Milfred Duane JOHNSON

  Noted events in his life were:

• Obituary, 2005, ND. Milfred Duane Johnson, 64, Ruso, ND, passed away Friday, November 11, 2005, at the Souris Valley Care Center, Velva, from Alzheimer's Disease.

Milfred was born on November 11, 1941, at Trinity Hospital, Minot, ND, to Lloyd W. and Olive G. (Melom) Johnson. He was the oldest of eight children. He was raised on the Melom family farm, located in Bjornson Township of McHenry County, northwest of Ruso, ND, until around the age of ten. The family then moved to a farm in Otis Township of McLean County, southwest of Ruso. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church, Ruso, ND. He attended Ruso Elementary School through the 8th grade. Milfred graduated from Velva High School in 1960.

As a young adult, he assisted his parents with the operation of the family farm and also worked for area farmers. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1964. He proudly
served his country, working in the Pentagon for 18 of his 24 month service. He was honorably discharged in September of 1966.

Following his honorable discharge, he was employed at the Minot Daily News for a short time. He then worked as a dragline operator for Bechtold Excavating and also for
Struksnes Construction on various projects around North Dakota. He attended Minot State College from 1968 to 1972.

Milfred was united in marriage to Diane Michalenko, of Kief, ND, on November 29, 1970, at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. They made their home in Minot from 1970-72. They then made their home in Velva, while Milfred worked on construction. For a short time, Milfred also sold insurance for Nodak Mutual. In 1973, Milfred started farming. In April of 1977, they moved to the Johnson family farm, located in Otis Township of McLean County, near Ruso, ND, where they farmed and raised beef cattle. He retired from farming in 2001, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. He had most recently resided at the Souris Valley Care Center, Velva, since October of 2003.

Milfred was a member of the former First Lutheran Church, Ruso and its church council and cemetery board. He was member of the Concordia Lutheran Church, Benedict, ND, and served on the church and parish councils. He served as a clerk on the Otis Township Board, was a member of the Lawrence Meidl American Legion Post #270 of Butte, ND, and was also a school board member for the Butte Public School.

Milfred was an extremely hard worker who spent countless hours farming the family land. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and reading.

Surviving family includes: wife of 34 years, Diane, Ruso; children, Lynnette Johnson (fiancé, Derek Laning), Washburn, ND, Ron Johnson, Ruso, and Laura Johnson, Grand Forks, ND; father, Lloyd, Minot; sisters, Marlene (Delane) Kritsky, Pocatello, ID, Loretta Martinsen, Garrison, ND, Marlys (Larry) Sundbakken, Minot, Eleanor (LaVerne) Berg, Minot, and Doreen (Tim) Schatz, Butte; brothers, Wayne (Tenley) Johnson, Max, ND, and Glenn (Debbie) Johnson, Wahpeton, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Milfred was preceded in death by his mother, Olive; brother-in-law, Melvin Martinsen; and several aunts and uncles.

Funeral: Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at OakValley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND.

Interment: Tuesday at 4:30 pm at Ruso Lutheran Cemetery, Ruso, ND.

Visitation: Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, and Monday from 2 to 5 pm at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Velva.

Public prayer service at 7 pm at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva.

• Cemetery: Ruso Cemetery, 2005, McLean County, ND.

Milfred married Living