Video from the Graveside Service
A Life
Betty Mae (Smestad) Johnson entered into eternal life Friday August 18, 2023. Betty was born May 23, 1928, in Bainville, Montana to Hans and Delia (Grindland) Smestad. She was the sixth of seven (7) children and third of three (3) daughters. Her father homesteaded in Bainville in 1915 where she was raised. She graduated from Bainville High School in 1946 and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN hoping to be a business teacher.
Prior to graduating from Concordia, Betty married Dale Johnson in 1950. While Dale finished his education at Concordia, Betty gave birth to their son Kapp in 1951. From 1952 – 54, she and Dale lived in Parker’s Prairie, MN where Dale was a coach and history teacher. It was in Parker’s Prairie where Betty gave birth to their daughter Debbie in 1953.
In 1954, she and Dale moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota where Dale was the Youth and Recreation director at Westwood Lutheran Church. During this time Betty worked at Bernie’s Delicatessen as a waitress. It was a job she cherished throughout her life and would recount her experiences for years to come.
In 1957, she and Dale moved to Culbertson, MT where he took a job as a Social Studies teacher and coach. At this time, she was a stay-at-home mom with two active children taking up most of her time. In 1959, Dale accepted a teaching and coaching position at Plentywood, MT. In Plentywood, Betty put her business interests and skills to work, working for Bob Nelson, a local attorney and accountant.
During the summers from 1959 – 1965, when Dale attended Montana State University in Bozeman earning a M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling and Secondary Administration, Betty worked odd jobs enjoying Bozeman summers with her oldest sister Clarice. Because money was tight, Betty would make the A&W ‘Pappa Burger,” “Momma Burger,” and “Baby Burger” and the family would drive to the A&W close to campus where they would buy root beers and eat their hamburgers.
In 1965 they moved to Fort Benton, MT where Dale became the principal of the High School and Betty became the Clerk of the School District. In 1965 she and Dale moved to Helena where Betty purchased the Volume One Christian Bookstore, was a co-owner of the Village Inn Pancake House and became the state leader in Eagle Forum. It was during this time that Betty’s love of the Lord and her commitment to Scripture blossomed as she was an avid bible study leader.
She married Dale LaVerne Johnson on June 23, 1950, at First English Lutheran Church in Bainville, Montana. She was preceded in death by her parents Hans and Delia Smestad, her husband Dale, her sister Clarice Wallin, and brothers Harris, Leonard, Robert, and Donald Smestad. She is survived by her sister Deloris Hall of Billings, her son The Rev. Kapp Johnson, daughter-in-law Bonnie and daughter Debra Brewer all of Seeley Lake, MT; Grandchildren, Autumn Sather (Joe) of Maple Grove, MN, Bryant Johnson (Erica) of Conroe, TX, Carmelle Johnson, and Kiersten Owings (Chad) of Hamilton, Breanne Stafford (Mike) of Victoria, MN, Caleb Brewer (Sarah), Joshua Brewer (Marley), and Andrew Brewer all of Bozeman; and Great grandchildren, Kristjan Dale Johnson, Nolan and Everett Sather, Lukas, Chloe and Brynn Johnson, Radek Johnson; Ben, Colette and Sam Stafford, and Cale and Natalie Brewer.
A Viewing will be held at 9:00 a.m., Friday, August 25, 2023 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., with a burial to follow at 10:00 a.m. at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the service in the Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Memorials at the Funeral Home following the burial
Service Schedule
Viewing
9:00 a.m.
Friday August 25, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday August 25, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
Following the burial
Friday August 25, 2023
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
9:00 a.m.
Friday August 25, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday August 25, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
Following the burial
Friday August 25, 2023
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Bonnie Icenbice says
Sending all my love and condolences. She was such a beautiful woman and always had a smile on her face. May you find comfort in all your memories.
Tom Lidahl says
Dale and Betty influenced my life tremendously as a teenager in Plentywood. I highly respected both of them. My sympathy and prayers to their family at this time.
Dr. Tom Lidahl
Kathleen Owings says
Thoughts and prayers go to the Betty Johnson family. Betty was a wonderful person who always had a smile. May you rest in peace
Ellen Holton says
Ron and I are thinking of you and praying for your family during this difficult time. Debbie, how I enjoyed visiting with
your mom when I would be at your home in Hamilton. She always had an affectionate greeting for me and a smile. It was a pleasure and blessing to have known her.
Connie Jerome says
I’m so very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Earth’s loss and heavens gain. I have so many fond memories of you mom throughout the years, from attending Bible Studies, Visiting at Volume 1 Christian Book store, and many many times within the walls of the pancake house. She was always so willing to allow Christians to meet and have Bible Studies in an area of the restaurant. She was a blessing to so many and a credit to the term “Godly Christian Woman” Our prayers are with each and every one of you family members, and other friends. May your fondest memories be held close to your heart. Sincerely, Connie and Kelly Jerome
Doug and Cathy Kelley says
Betty is definitely hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We appreciate so much her service to the Lord and to the body of Christ. During a time when there was a shortage of pure and godly examples of Christians in the marketplace, Betty stood tall and strong. We have always been encouraged by her faith and “can do” spirit. Thank you, Betty, for being a great example of what it means to be ‘salt and light.’ Thinking and praying for family and friends.
Irene ‘Nini’ Blake Ennis says
I was 15 and very lonely, young woman when I met Betty. I was the piano player for a three day crusade when she brought a speaker in. That experience changed my life, and I ended up working for Betty in her bookstore for several years. Betty‘s daughter, Debi, became very important in my life as we then became roommates in various apartments in various states. Through it all I knew that Betty was praying for me, supporting me, and always encouraging me to a higher place in my relationship. With God one year, we drove all the way to St. Louis Missouri straight through to go to a Christian booksellers conference, she was intent on being there, and during the night when I was driving, she kept saying I would drive, but my eyes are just too bad, she had faith that I could get her there. My prayers are with the family and rejoicing that she has now met her maker and is in peace .
Dianne E. Tillman says
Dear Kapp and Bonnie
My love and prayers to all at the passing of your loving Mother. I remember both Betty and Dale from our time at St Stephen’s Lutheran, Granada Hills, CA. And enjoyed watching your family grow. Your Mom took over leading the Women of the ELCA and inspired us to read the entire Bible in one year following an outline in a book which was made available to us all. She was an inspiration as they both were.
Linda Lode says
Dear Kapp, Bonnie & Debra,
Your mother was an accomplished Bible Study teacher & a wonderful christian friend. She helped me in various ways over the years & she will be missed. I will always remember the duets she & Dale sang with their voices blending together beautifully. She was truly ‘one of a kind’. She was always availble to anyone who needed her & she wasn’t afraid to call a spade a spade She was a great example of how to live ones christian. She’s veery deserving of the rest in heaven she is now receiving. Love, Linda
Linda Lode says
She was a great example of how to live ones christian life.
Eileen Raycroft says
Dear Kapp and Bonnie and the whole Johnson family,
Our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your beloved Betty. She was such a blessing to me during our time at St. Stephen’s Lutheran. She shared her abundant love and wisdom with us all. See you in heaven, Betty. Give Dale a kiss for me. And may the Lord grant his overflowing love and peace on the Johnson family as they grieve.
Love from your sister in Christ,
Eileen