Howard Bennard Johnson (August 11, 1935 - May 17, 2012) Howard was born on the farm south of Torquay, SE-15-1-12 West of 2nd. He died at St. Joseph's Special Care Home in Estevan, his home for the past year. Howard is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Laurel (Greg) Diekrager and their children, Dawson, Eric, and Ashley; Clare (Jodi) Johnson and their daughter, Abbey; Kirk (Shauna) Johnson and their children, Carter, Lindsay, and Jamie; Todd (Kristy) Johnson (baby due in August); sister, Ardis Johnson; in-laws, Mervin (Jan) Erickson, Alan (Judy) Erickson, and Sandra (Merle) Sanford; Aunt Viola Halvorson; 3 nephews, 5 nieces as well as many great nephews and nieces and many Johnson and Bergum cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Horace and Clara Johnson; sister in childhood, Doris Johnson; nephew, Tommy Erickson; parents-in-law, Milford and Hulda Erickson. Howard was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church. He took his schooling at Tenold School and completed his grade 11 and 12 in Torquay. He received his high school diploma in 1955. Not many people could say they were born, baptized, confirmed and educated all within two miles of home. He attended winter sessions of Bible School at LCBI in Outlook and CLBI in Camrose. He also completed a barbering course in Regina. Howard farmed with his dad until Horace's passing in 1981. On July 23rd 1966, Howard married Elaine Erickson from Frontier, Sask. They met in Swift Current where Elaine was teaching at Elmwood School. Howard and Elaine made their home on the family farm on SE 16-1-2. It was the perfect place to raise a family. Howard always made sure the children had bikes and three wheelers to get over to the neighbours for football and hockey games. Sundays were a day of rest for Dad and he rarely worked Sunday. Many Sundays were spent at the "old Mainprize Park" or at the swimming pool in Crosby. In July 2006, the Johnson family gathered at "the Swantz Cabin" on Lake 5 just outside of Glacier National Park, where they celebrated Howard and Elaine's 40th wedding anniversary. Howard and Elaine visited Norway four times. In 2010 they were on a Mediterranean Cruise with Todd and Kristy. In 2009 on a Norway trip, Todd took Howard on a father/son trip to London, England and to Paris, France for the "World Airshow." Howard was blessed with a wonderful tenor voice. He and Elaine blended with beautiful harmony. They were often asked to sing at worship services, weddings, funerals, birthday parties, etc. In honour of the Johnson Century Farm Celebration, the Johnson family recorded a CD, produced by Little Doe Productions. We are so thankful to have this recording. Howard was very sincere in his compliments to people and always had an encouraging word to those he visited with. Howard's faith in God was his foundation and he expressed this so beautifully through his prayers, his music and his life. Whatever places or people he would see along his travels, whether it was along a prairie road or on a huge cruise ship, visiting his children and grandchildren, asking questions, sharing a laugh; he brought so much joy into our lives and will be deeply missed. The family would like to thank St. Joseph's Care Home in Estevan for their care during the past year. Thanks also to the staff at Weyburn Mental Health Services for helping Howard deal with manic depression over the years. Funeral service was held on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Torquay with Pastor Danny Krauss officiating. Interment followed at Salem Cemetery, Torquay. Arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services.
