Reidar Daniel (Babe)Johnson passed March 21, 2019 into the arms of his 9 Norwegian brothers and sisters, his parents and his ancestors on a Viking Long ship carrying them to Valhalla.
Reidar was born May 15, 1928 to Olaf Martin and Abelona Kalva Johnson in Bergen, Norway.
His father’s first wife passed away in childbirth with their second child in Butte, MT. Olaf Martin Johnson put his son Alfred and daughter Hilda in the care of a Montana family and returned to Norway. Where he married Abelona Kalve before returning to the United States for his family. Their first son together, Anton was born in White Hall, MT. When Anton was old enough to travel Olaf took his family back to his home in Norway. Their family grew there while Olaf Martin worked in his family boat building and fishing businesses. His father was one of the builders of the historic Fram ship. While in Norway, Olaf was recruited to join Roald Amundson on one of his trips to Antarctica. He declined going in order to raise his family and someday return to Montana.
Following the birth of their youngest son, Reidar the family decided to return to the United States. By this time the family was ten children strong: Alfred, Hilda, Anton, Anders, Edward, Olaf, Ruth, Agnes, Martha, and Reidar moved back to Montana where Olaf Sr. returned to his previous work on the Milwaukee Railroad. Three years later Olaf Martin was killed while working on the railroad. Abelona moved the family to Bozeman, purchased a home and started a boarding house to support her children. Her father sent her money for her and her family to return to Norway, but she declined; stating she wanted their children to be raised in America.
Reidar attended grade school at Longfellow School and Bozeman Senior High School. World War II broke out during this time and Reidar wanted to enlist. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the US NAVY, serving aboard the USS Portsmouth. They were sent to the Mediterranean on a good will mission. He enjoyed his time in Cortina, Italy and the Italian Alps.
Upon leaving the Navy, Reidar returned to Bozeman and enrolled under the GI Bill at Montana State College. He joined the SAE (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) Fraternity and completed a degree in Industrial Arts.
In 1952 he married his college sweetheart Joan Kiff, of Ringling MT. They lived and worked on the Kiff ranch where he followed his passion of good horses and the ranching life. They had their first child, Jane Marie (Jamie) there. They moved to other ranches and added John Mark and Jeffery Reidar to the family. In 1964 they moved to Harlowton, MT where Reidar purchased and operated the Phillips 66 gas station for many years. He served on the Harlowton School Board. He and Joan were active in community and school activities as their children grew. He was elected Wheatland County Assessor in 1980 and served for 4 consecutive terms until retiring. His wife Joan passed away in 1996 following a long illness.
Dad always made sure we had a semi-reliable vehicle to drive, was a fan at any school or sporting events and was referee at the dinner table. He and our mother loved us unconditionally.
Reidar is survived by his wife Marga Johnson VanOmmen Johnson, of White Sulphur Springs, MT and her children Garrit and Tracie VanOmmen, Lisa and Brian Adkins and their children. Also surviving are Reidar’s children, Jamie and Jock Doggett, John and Barbara Johnson and Jeff Johnson and his children Brittany, Jordan and Jessica.
Reidar loved people and going places. He would stop and visit friends or family whenever he was nearby. He kept in close contact with his siblings and their families, and his friends from across the years, especially the Dizzy Dozen. He was always interested in what was happening around town and with his friends. Reidar had many gifts. He was master of the quick comment and loved to give out a quip that left all chuckling. We never heard him cuss, ever. But he could tell a joke better than anyone. He enjoyed getting together with his friends in Harlowton or White Sulphur Springs for coffee, where the events of the day were discussed, or jokes were shared.
He and Marga were always ready for a new adventure whether it was traveling to Arizona to their winter get-away, going to Hawaii with Jock and Jamie, visiting exotic locations with the Birthday Club,, spending time at his “camp mow the lawn”, or just taking scenic drives around Meagher County in his favorite vehicle of the moment.
At Reidar’s request, there will be a celebration of his life in May at Reidar’s Red Barn dates and times will be announced when they’re set.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Margaret Maixner Maddock says
Sorry for your loss.
Your dad and mom were a great asset to Harlo.
Life moves on but, memories don’t .
Remember your Dad with fondness.
Prayers for comfort in missing your Dad’s earthly presence.
Margaret Maixner Maddock
Tina Kalberg Altimus says
Reidar was a gem of a man!! He always called me Teeny which I will always treasure… It was so fun to see him at the Bair Museum Gala a few years ago. So very sorry for you loss, hold on to the great memories!! Tina Kalberg Altimus
Yvonne Jenkins says
I’m very sorry about the loss of your loved one. Remember the Bible’s promise at Revelation 21: 3, 4. May Jehovah comfort you during this time.
Karen Klemme says
I grew up loving “Uncle Babe” before I even met him because my mother, his sister Aggie, loved him and because of that we loved him. I have fond memories of visiting Babe & Joanie at their home in Harlowton and riding horses out in the middle of what seemed like “nowhere” to me; family reunions in Bozeman with the entire Johnson clan were a blast! But I think throughout my years, memories of Babe will always bring a smile to my face and a love in my heart for a man who was really bigger than life. He was loving, kind, generous, funny, interesting, and always a gentleman. My prayers are with you & your families Marga, Jamie, John and Jeff.
Debbie Johnson says
Uncle Babe was a good guy. A handsome devil. He loved his family. He would keep track of all his siblings by calling or visiting them frequently. Babe was the youngest of the bunch. The 10 Johnson kids had a very strong bond with each other. He would stop by and visit my Dad, Anton, whenever he was in town. After my Dad passed away he continued to check on me. However, I often thought he was really checking on my horse, Goose. Goose reminded him of his horse, Pogo. First thing he would say, “How’ s Goose?” I remember as a kid going to a family reunion at some ranch near Ringing (not the Kiff’s) where to get to the house we had to go through 7 gates. I was on gate duty. We rode the horses. I got to ride Pogo! It was a honor. I felt special. I remember Babe saying he wormed Cricket, the pony, by using chewing tobacco. I was shocked. Funny the things you remember. I remember going to Joan & Babe’s cabin on the Kiff Ranch. He showed us his “hot tube”. A cast iron bathtub raised high enough that a fire could be built under it. It was located next to a creek. I guess that’s what you call a “cowboy hot tub”. I remember playing my first and last golf game at Harlowton with Babe and Uncle Norm. We took a golf cart through Harlo to the course. I was more interested in the Chinese cemetery in the golf course then playing golf. I remember him telling me that he painted one side of his house each year and that way painting wasn’t such a burden. I thought “what a wonderful idea….I’m going to do that”. Later he told me it didn’t work out……he was 4 years behind schedule. Oops! I remember him talking about going to coffee with his friends everyday……really twice a day. He had a morning group and an afternoon group and lunch at the Senior Citizens. What a lucky guy to have so many friends.
It’s sad to see Babe go. Its the end of that generation. I miss all my Aunts and Uncles.
God bless you Marga, Jamie, John and Jeff.
C.J. Glasser says
So sad to read about “Babe” in the MC News. He was such a great person & I always enjoyed his humor. My heart goes out to Marga, Jamie & all of his family & friends