Donald Wesley Johnson went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the age of 67.
Don was born March 3rd, 1948 in Great Falls, Montana to Melvin and Edna Johnson. He was raised in Helena, Montana on a farm with eight sisters and four brothers. He attended school in East Helena and graduated in June 1966 from Helena Senior High School.
He joined the Montana National Guard in 1965 retiring as Staff Sergeant in December 2005, after 40 years of service. During his career with the Montana Guard, Don worked full time as a mechanic for various National Guard equipment maintenance shops his final one being the CSMS shop.
Don and Renee Martin were married November 18, 1978 in Butte on the coldest day in the world. They had no children of their own but were Godparents to many children. They spent many hours of time playing games, going to movies, and trips with many of the nieces and nephews of which many of them referred to him as “Uncle Duck”. Don and Renee spent many years rooting for and helping the #77 racing team led by her brother-in-law, Hank Adams.
Don was very active in community service and helped with hosting Thanksgiving dinners for the Helena community with the Guards. He was especially active in the Moose Lodge and served as Governor of the local Lodge.
Don loved being at the lake fishing and camping. Many weekends were spent camped out with friends and family cruising around Devil’s Elbow and Black Sandy. He wasn’t a swimmer and didn’t like being in the water but sure enjoyed dumping others off their inner-tube or skis being pulled by his boat into the water. He was an avid hunter and liked dropping his brothers off at the top of a mountain and picking them up at a designated spot where the game was sure to rush out at him.
Rafting down the Missouri and Blackfoot rivers were the most adventuresome. Again Donnie not being a swimmer was often found dumped from an overturned raft. Don never seemed to get excited over precarious situations, whether being thrown into a raging river or sliding backwards down an ice slickened mountain road next to a drop off or treed by an angry cow moose.
Don was known as quite a prankster and loved getting a laugh at the expense of others particularly his cousins at the Wes Johnson Dairy. As the oldest of 13 children he often took it upon himself to help his younger siblings with fixing their vehicles or taking them to the lake and movies.
Don was preceded in death by his wife Renee, parents, Mel and Edna, sister Alice, brother-in-laws Richard Stein and Edward Molyneaux, and sister-in-law Karen Adams.
Don is survived by family members, Dick Lewis, Bertha Stein, Margaret (Vern) Miller, Carol Molyneaux, Thomas, Cindy (Jimmy) Wollenberg, David (Brenda), Steven, Edward (Millie), Dora (Mike) Lindner, Lora, Melva (Keith) Fowler, Tom (Nathel) Martin and Hank (Becky) Adams.
A Funeral Service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Burial with Military Honors will be held immediately following the funeral service at Forestvale Cemetery with a reception at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home after the burial. After the reception we will meet for social hour at the Helena Moose Lodge #639, 4750 N. Montana Ave, Helena. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Don.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday April 16, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
After the service
Thursday April 16, 2015
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the burial
Thursday April 16, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Social Gathering
Immediately following the reception
Thursday April 16, 2015
Helena Moose Lodge #639
4750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday April 16, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
After the service
Thursday April 16, 2015
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the burial
Thursday April 16, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Social Gathering
Immediately following the reception
Thursday April 16, 2015
Helena Moose Lodge #639
4750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
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Joan Correa says
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was always so nice and friendly to me. I am sure he will be missed by many. Rest in peace.
Glen Cuchine says
Don and I went to school together. His gentle spirit and always ready smile will always be remembered. I hope his family finds peace in Don’s generosity and love. Rest in peace, my friend.
Tom Martin says
Don was very gracious to our family, always willing to help when needed. He was very unassuming and quiet, but you knew that he loved and cared for you. We will always remember boating and camping with uncle Don and Aunt Renée, and will miss them dearly.
Gino Dunfee says
Don is now with his beloved Renee’ and free of pain and heartache. A man of few words but with a heart of gold. To his friends and family, (and there are many of both) may your memories of Don keep him forever in your hearts. I have so many fond memories of camping at Black Sandy, bowling tournaments, and many other occasions. What a great guy. He would give you the shirt off his back and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He will be missed. My sincere condolences.
Sharon Holmquist Peterson says
To Don’s family and friends, So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was such a nice man. He was quiet but well liked. I remember a Guard summer picnic at Canyon Ferry and the fun with the tubes being pulled by Don. Great time!! My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
He will be greatly missed. RIP Don.
Linda Cox Balcerzak says
Donald & I along with about 8 others attended school together beginning in E. Helena grade school all the way through to high school. I have fond memories of Donald, he was quiet but always kind, a gentle soul, a great person! Sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts & prayers to the family at this difficult time.
kim Ring says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
The Order of Runeberg #105 Butte, MT says
Don was a member of The Order of Runeberg #105 Butte, MT. for 36 years. He was a very nice person and we enjoyed visiting with him when He came to our dinners and when we had our picnics. Some time the weather was not nice when we had our dinners. It was below zero,
but he would be there.
Our thought and prayers are with Don and his family
The Members of The Order of Runeberg #105 Butte, MT