Merry Jean Westover Johnson went to be with her Lord Jesus in her eternal heavenly home on December 28, 2014, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Merry was born on October 28, 1929, to Nina and James LeRoy Westover in Fortuna, ND, and was delivered at birth by her father.
Merry moved with her family to Clancy, MT when she was young. She attended grade school in Clancy. Her family moved to Seattle during WWII. Her parents and two oldest sisters were welders in the shipyards, and known as the “Welding Westover’s”. While in Seattle, Merry attended junior high and helped to raise her two younger sisters. Merry and her family returned to Clancy in 1943. She attended high school in Boulder, MT, where she graduated. Merry also worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Peters Hospital. She had a love for helping people. This desire to help people lasted her lifetime.
Merry met the love of her life, Keith Robert Johnson, and they were married in 1949. Together they had four children: David, James, Susan, and John. Merry and Keith spent their lifetime, raising their family & retirement years, in Lump Gulch in Clancy.
Merry worked several years at Helena Abstract & Title. She also worked for the Helena Forest Service as a voucher examiner and retired after 20 years of dedicated service.
Merry was blessed with God-given qualities, which many people who knew Merry admired about her: kindhearted, merciful, selfless, innovative, caregiver, patient, compassionate, nurturer, fun-loving, a saint, benevolent, strong-willed, stoic, peacemaker, forgiving.
She was a true home-spun engineer who could do plumbing, roofing, carpentry, and just about anything she set her mind to.
She was truly devoted to her family. Her grandchildren & great-grandchildren held a very special spot in her heart. She would do anything for them.
Merry was a born-again believer. She placed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Over the years, Merry attended the Clancy Methodist Church, the Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church and the South Hills Baptist Church. She served her Lord with a loving heart.
Merry enjoyed being a homemaker, gardening, canning, camping, traveling, boating, sewing, reading, gold panning, exploring and more.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Nina, her husband, Keith, and two sisters, Rosalyn Sweeney & Lorna Cox. She is survived by her children: David/Janne Johnson of Colstrip – James Johnson of Helena – Susan Riemann of Butte – and John/Cathy Johnson of Clancy; Grandchildren: John/Jennifer Riemann of Helena – Kris/Sarah Johnson of Midway, GA – Michelle Johnson of Kansas – Carol Riemann of Helena – Nick/Debbie Johnson of Sheridan – Colton Johnson of Billings – Dalton Johnson of Helena – Hunter Johnson of Helena – Hannah Johnson of Helena;
Great Grandchildren: Keith Riemann of Laurel – Evelyn & Abigail Johnson of Midway, GA & Olivia Johnson of Sheridan, WY; Two Sisters: Margie Sweat of Coeur d’Alene, ID & Joanne Kessler of Helena.
Viewing hours will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Retz Funeral Home, Helena on Tuesday, December 30, 2014. A funeral service will be held at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church, 3384 Canyon Ferry Rd., on Wednesday, December 31st at 1:00 p.m. Pastor B.G. Stumberg will be officiating. Interment will immediately follow the funeral service at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A reception for family & friends will follow at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Grandsons: John Riemann, Kris Johnson, Nick Johnson, Colton Johnson, Dalton Johnson, & Hunter Johnson; Honorary pallbearers will be all Merry’s family & friends.
Memorials in Merry’s name may be sent to: Alzheimer’s Association (1-800-272-3900) By Mail: Montana Chapter, 3010-11th Ave. North, Billings MT 59101 (or) online @ alz.org. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Merry.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 31, 2014
Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church
3384 Canyon Ferry Road
East Helena , Montana 59635
Burial
Following the Service
Wednesday December 31, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Wednesday December 31, 2014
Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church
3384 Canyon Ferry Road
East Helena , Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 31, 2014
Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church
3384 Canyon Ferry Road
East Helena , Montana 59635
Burial
Following the Service
Wednesday December 31, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Wednesday December 31, 2014
Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church
3384 Canyon Ferry Road
East Helena , Montana 59635
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Janne and David Johnson says
Our beloved mother, Merry, has been a very loving mother and grandmother to her family. She was always there to help her family in any way she possibly could. She loved her Lord Jesus. She devoted a lifetime to trying to helping people.
Merry enjoyed so much family time together. Camping – picnicking – exploring the woods with her children & grandchildren up by the family home in Lump Gulch – travelling – and any way that would gather her family together.
Merry will be remembered always for her beautiful smile and laughter. She could bring sunshine into a room with her when she walked in.
We just thank the Lord for allowing us to have “Grandma Merry” in our lives. The angels are singing in Heaven that their angel has come home to her eternal, beautiful home with Jesus Christ.
Jenny bley from aspen gardens says
Sweet merry , Iv known you for almost 2 years , everyday I spent with was a wonderful blessing . You made our days so bright , when you were in house 16 I’d make us milkshakes and we would watch tv and laugh a lot . You always made me smile . I always told you how beautiful you looked . You always talked about your grand kids . We all try so hard not to get attached to our residents but with you it was hard not to 🙂 I will miss everyday I walk through that door . May you rest in peace ! We love you merry !
Pat & Jack Howell says
John, Cathy & family: We are so sorry for your loss of Merry and we know you will miss her terribly but she is with the Lord now and whole once more. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless,
Pat & Jack
Sandra Cader says
kris and Sarah,
I am sorry for your loss. Grandma’s are always so special.
Uncle Stanley says
Kris, Sarah Bear, and Johnson Family
We love you very much and are very sorry for your loss. If there is anything we can do don’t hesitate to call.
Love Always, Uncle Stanley
Glenn Webster says
Dear Dave and Janne, please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences to you and the family on the loss of Ms Merry. I know how important she was in your lives, and now she is watching over you again from Heaven. Please let me know if I can do anything to help out. May God’s blessings continue over your family and bring you comfort.
Sincerely, Glenn
Shirley cole says
Joanne and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you along with my deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one. God bless you and yours!