Arvid Johnson, 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Wednesday morning, March 6, 2013, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
Arvid was born in Little Falls, Minn., on June 23, 1920, to Andrew and Hulda (Swanson) Johnson, and lived there until he was 19 years old. The family moved to the Flathead Valley, and in 1939 Arvid joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Columbia Falls. One year later, he enlisted in the Army and was in the 19th Engineers, Co. F, at Fort Ord, Calif. Over the next three years he served our country overseas in World War II, in Africa and Italy. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
Arvid returned to Montana and began working for the Great Northern Railway until his retirement in 1981.
In December 1964, Arvid married Grayce Jystad, and they were married until her death in October 2003. During those years, they enjoyed doing many family activities. They also traveled to Arizona several times, but their most favorite trips were up to Alaska with his brothers and their wives. They also square danced for many years and enjoyed playing cards with friends.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers, Aenard, Elmer and Andy Johnson; and sisters, Evelyn and Ann.
Arvid is survived by his sister, Ruby Dodge, of Rollins; four stepchildren, Lonnie Bailey of Gilbert, Ariz., Ron Severson and wife Carleen of Kalispell, Janna Rae Severson of Wasilla, Alaska, and Terry Lorentzen and husband Chuck of Kalispell; also many nieces and nephews, who loved their Uncle Arvid; and he was Grandpa to eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
We would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at the Veterans Home for their special care of him over the past two years.
No services will be held at this time, but a memorial will be held later this spring at Glacier Memorial Cemetery.
To send a note of condolence to the family, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arvid Johnson, please visit our flower store.
Arvid was born in Little Falls, Minn., on June 23, 1920, to Andrew and Hulda (Swanson) Johnson, and lived there until he was 19 years old. The family moved to the Flathead Valley, and in 1939 Arvid joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Columbia Falls. One year later, he enlisted in the Army and was in the 19th Engineers, Co. F, at Fort Ord, Calif. Over the next three years he served our country overseas in World War II, in Africa and Italy. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
Arvid returned to Montana and began working for the Great Northern Railway until his retirement in 1981.
In December 1964, Arvid married Grayce Jystad, and they were married until her death in October 2003. During those years, they enjoyed doing many family activities. They also traveled to Arizona several times, but their most favorite trips were up to Alaska with his brothers and their wives. They also square danced for many years and enjoyed playing cards with friends.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers, Aenard, Elmer and Andy Johnson; and sisters, Evelyn and Ann.
Arvid is survived by his sister, Ruby Dodge, of Rollins; four stepchildren, Lonnie Bailey of Gilbert, Ariz., Ron Severson and wife Carleen of Kalispell, Janna Rae Severson of Wasilla, Alaska, and Terry Lorentzen and husband Chuck of Kalispell; also many nieces and nephews, who loved their Uncle Arvid; and he was Grandpa to eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
We would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at the Veterans Home for their special care of him over the past two years.
No services will be held at this time, but a memorial will be held later this spring at Glacier Memorial Cemetery.
To send a note of condolence to the family, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.