JOHN ARTHUR JOHNSON

John Arthur Johnson, 94, of 633 Second St. W., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Friday, Oct. 16, 1998 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
He was born Sept. 2, 1904 in Roseau, Mn. to the late Solomon and Alma Johnson.
In 1914, the family relocated to Arbor Vitae, Ont. They travelled by horse and wagon from Roseau to Baudette. From there, most of the family journeyed by barge to Bergland while Johnny, at age 10, helped drive the family’s cattle on an unfamiliar bush trail to their new home at Arbor Vitae.
On Aug. 6, 1931, John was united in marriage to the former Ivy Watts.
He was self-employed as a truck driver for 50 years, and he also operated a farm in Arbor Vitae for a number of years. His many experiences included spending the year 1941 trucking in the Yukon.
He belonged to the Scandinavian Society, was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Rainy River, Ont., and adhered to the Lutheran Church.
In 1987, he and his wife, Ivy, moved to Fort Frances, where they have lived since.
Johnny genuinely enjoyed life. He had a wonderful sense of humour and could see a joke in any situation. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to others. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards, and particularly loved visiting with family and friends.
John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ivy; his daughter, Sybil and husband, Edwin Sletmoen of Fort Frances; three grandchildren, Darrel and wife, Wilma, Dwayne and wife, Evelyn, and Mark; and eight great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Joseph, Paula, Christina, Benjamin, Laura, Christian, and John.
Also surviving is his foster daughter, Shirley Fisher of Owen Sound, Ont.; her daughters, Faye (George) Chamberlain, Debbie (Dave) Scholl, and Deanna (Jason) Tishhart, and their children, Trish, Nathan, Rebecca, Angel, and Jasmine; one sister, Mary Peterson of Dryden; one brother, Algot Johnson of Eva Lake, Ont.; one sister-in-law, Martha Johnson of Fort Frances; and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada and numerous cousins in Sweden.
He was predeceased by three brothers, Carl, Alrick, and Alexis Johnson; one brother and two sisters in infancy; one niece, Eleanor Gaudry; and one nephew, Edward Johnson.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home. Pastor Ek Officiated, with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends visited with the family Monday, Oct. 19 from 7 until 8 p.m. at Green Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Darrel Sletmoen, Dwayne Sletmoen, Mark Sletmoen, Joe Sletmoen, Don Bolen Jr., and Glen Stafford.
Honourary pallbearers were Don Bolen Sr., Matt Fairnington, Joe Miller, Bill Watts, Walter Johnson, and Lawrence Gouliquer.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7.