John C. Johnson

John C. Johnson, 84, Pembina, ND, passed away peacefully in his home Sunday, August 25, 2013, while watching his favored Minnesota Twins play ball, his wife at his side. "No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, you were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why."
John was born March 11, 1929 in Felsen Township, Neche, North Dakota to Herbert O. and Ella M. (Whidden) Johnson. He grew up helping his Dad farm and was always a "farmer at heart".
John attended school in Neche, ND transferring to Pembina High School in 1943. He graduated from Pembina High in 1947.
John married Marlene J. Rutherford on March 8, 1954. Marlene was the quiet one of the two, serving as John's "wind beneath his wings". They created a very happy and loving home, raising their family in Pembina, North Dakota. They enjoyed summers in their lake home at the Northwest Angle, Minnesota for over 30 years. John loved fishing, woodworking, tinkering, farm talk, and watching the Minnesota Twins. He dearly loved his family and found immense pleasure in any opportunity to get the whole "gang" together. John proudly served in the United States Army / Panama 1951-1953. For many years, he ran a part time business, Johnson Short Haul Trucking. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Pembina from 1953-1984, retiring as postmaster.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene, and their five children (The Five J's - as he fondly called them); Jolene A. (Don) Windt, Kokomo, Indiana, Janet G. (Wayne) O'Hara, Joy L. (Steven) Ash, John H. (Kitty) Johnson, and James C. Johnson all of Pembina. John and Marlene were proud grandparents to Brendan Windt, Andrea Windt Bowlby (fiancé Stan Antonelli), Shannon (Chad) Cosley, Patrick (DeAnn) O'Hara, Matt (Sheila) Ash, Greg Ash, Angie Ash (fiancé Mike Burkhardsmeier), Stacie (Derrek /"Buzz") Irving, Amy (Rob) Fugere, and Erin (Dylan) Hooker. John found great delight in his great grandchildren Annalise and Samuel Bowlby, TJ (Trenton), Grant, and Weston Cosley, Connor O'Hara, Madison and Evan Ash, Lexi Irving, Gavyn Nygren, and Greyson Fugere. He reveled in their antics and so loved to repeat stories of their mischief. He would have been overjoyed to welcome a new great granddaughter (O'Hara) expected in November.
John was the last surviving member of his immediate family, preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, elder sister Betty E. Monette and younger brother Ronald O. (Bud) Johnson.
John was a member of Pembina Pioneer United Methodist Church, lifetime member of Kern-Thompson American Legion Post # 77, member of the Pembina Masonic Lodge, and a member of the National Association of Postmasters of the United States. He was a very active volunteer in the community until a stroke slowed him down in May, 1999. John could be found lighting the city fireworks display, cooking oyster stew for the fire department, building dikes during the spring, and flipping pancakes for the Boy Scouts. He never met a stranger and truly believed in his fellow man. The motto around the house was always, "if you can't say something nice about someone - say nothing at all".
John will always be remembered as "the man who was lost in the woods", Northwest Angle, MN. In May, 1998, while scouting logs needed to complete a deck on his summer place, he lost his heading in the dense bush. Hundreds of friends and family, search and rescue dogs, and a radar equipped military helicopter searched relentlessly, yet were unable to locate him. With temperatures dropping into the 30's at night and torrential rain storms, his family feared the worst. But John persevered and walked out of the woods on his own over 8 days after initially entering. That tough pioneer spirit was a trademark he will always be remembered for.
John leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, loyalty, optimism, and an unforgettable spirit that family and friends will continue to remember. He served as a positive role model to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sorely missed; yet his memory will live on in our hearts forever. "Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear."
John's family would especially like to thank Thomas Lohstreter, M.D. and staff, Hallock, MN for the attentive care provided to John over the past years. John described him as "a peach of a man" and would remark "He always treats Mom and me with such respect".
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 30, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pembina Pioneer United Methodist Church, Pembina, ND with Pastor Gary Johnson officiating. Special music will be provided by his great granddaughter, Lexi Irving. The family will receive visitors Thursday, August 29th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at the church. Lovingly serving as casket bearers will be John's ten grandchildren, Brendan, Shannon, Andrea, Matt, Stacie, Patrick, Amy, Greg, Angie, and Erin. Burial will follow in the St. Vincent Cemetery, St. Vincent, Minnesota. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Pembina Pioneer United Methodist Church.