J Harry Johnson
June 18, 1920
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February 25, 2019
Place of Birth: Sidney, Montana
Residence: Sidney, Montana
Age: 98
J. Harry Johnson was born on June 18, 1920 in Sidney, MT to J. B. and Anna (Mueller) Johnson. He died peacefully on February 25, 2019, at the Lodge in Sidney at the age of 98 with family constantly at his side.
J. Harry attended rural school in his community, then attended high school in Wapeton, ND before graduating from Sidney High School in 1938. He moved to the Los Angeles area in 1939 where he contributed to the war effort during World War II working for 7 years at the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. During his time in California, he also owned and operated a variety store. Returning to Sidney in 1948, he began farming in the Girard community with his brother Douglas.
Shortly after returning to Sidney, J. Harry met love of his live, Donna Olsen, an elementary teacher in Sidney. They were married in Kenmare, ND on December 29, 1950 and together raised five children. Donna passed away in 2016 after 65 wonderful years of marriage.
In 1969, J. Harry and Frank (Bud) Daniels formed a unique partnership, farming together for more than 30 years as J-D Farms. Theirs was a special friendship and business relationship that in 1979 led them to an ambitious project in Sidney that created the North Meadow, South Meadow, Hillside Acres and JD Industrial Park subdivisions. J Harry was also an assistant district manager with Hamilton Funds Corporation from 1956-1975, working with clients and overseeing the sales activities of others in Eastern Montana.
In 1974, J. Harry was an instrumental member of a group that chartered the First United Bank in Sidney, where he served as a director for 20 years.
J. Harry had a strong dedication to church and community service. In 1955, J. Harry and Nels Bach spearheaded the development of Richland Homes (which is now the Sidney Heath Center Extended Care) where he served for 22 years as Director and Board Chairman. He was a member of the Sidney Kiwanis Club for over 55 years, served 28 years as a director on the Richland County Fair Board, and was a Board member of the Richland County Federal Credit Union, Bi-State Co-op, the Sidney Chamber of Commerce and the Foundation for Community Care. He also served as president of the Sidney Concert Association, the Richland County Young Democrats, and the Sidney Toastmasters. At Trinity Lutheran and Pella Lutheran churches he served as Congregational President, Sunday School Superintendent and Building Committee chair, and was a member of the Pella Endowment Committee until the age of 97. He served as national chairperson of the Kogudus ministries which involved spiritual retreats for men and women and also prison ministry.
J. Harry was awarded a three year study/travel fellowship beginning in 1972 in the Kellogg Extension Education Project (KEEP), which included a study of political, economic, and social aspects of life, taking him to Ethiopia, Yugoslavia and Washington, DC.
One of the best times of J. Harry’s service life was his time on Concordia College Board of Regents from 1977-1985, where all five of his children graduated and six of his grandchildren have attended.
J. Harry was deeply appreciative of the professional and compassionate care given by the staff of the Lodge, Sidney Health Center and the Hospice staff and volunteers. J. Harry will always be remembered for his generosity, humor, kindness, patience and service, and above all, his unwavering love for his family. He was genuinely a good person who leaves a shining example of a life well-lived. His lasting legacy is his deep and abiding faith in his Lord and Savior.
J. Harry is survived by children, Craig (Julie) Johnson, Eden Prairie, MN; Steve (Dana) Johnson, Fargo, ND; Randy (Kelly) Johnson, Sidney; Mary (Mark) Huebner, Morris, MN; and Scott (Kay) Johnson, Sidney. Grandchildren include: Lindsay (Paul) Schneider, Chanhassen, MN; Meredith (Robbie) Foster, Indio, CA; Blake (Alyssa) Johnson, West St. Paul, MN; Christoffer (Christopher Banken) Johnson, Minneapolis, MN; Anders Johnson, Fargo, ND; Alec Johnson, Missoula, MT; Daniel Johnson, Sidney; Justine Huebner, Minneapolis, MN; John Huebner, Morris, MN; Nathan (Kelsey) Johnson, Missoula, MT; Brittany Johnson, Sidney; and Brady Johnson, Sidney. Great grandchildren include: Connor, Mara and Adam Schneider, Chanhassen, MN; Patrick and Olivia Foster, Indio, CA; and Brooks Johnson, West St. Paul, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Douglas and his beloved wife, Donna.
Marla Koch
(Tucson, AZ)
Feb 27, 2019
Kent and Patty Johnson
(Saint Michael, Minnesota)
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Doug Hettich
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Ken Habedank
(Dunnellon , Florida )
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Cindy Johnson Berg
(Miles City)
Feb 27, 2019
Emily Hoff
(Sidney)
Feb 28, 2019
Craig & Doreen (Vaira) Herbert
(Glasgow, MT)
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Tamara Linder
(Sidney, MT)
Feb 28, 2019
Craig Kari Johnson
(Sidney, MT )
Mar 1, 2019
Cynthia Misner
(Berthold , ND)
Mar 1, 2019
Sharon Smelser
(Sidney, MT)
Mar 1, 2019
Steve and Donna Mullen
(Bismarck, North Dakota)
Mar 1, 2019
Tami Maltese
Mar 1, 2019
Kris Engstrom
(Reno, NV)
Mar 1, 2019
Deb & Greg Cavanaugh
(Sidney)
Mar 13, 2019
Beloved Dad, Grandpa & Great Grandpa
Sidney Health center
U.S. Bank
Betty, Kirk, Beth, Jim, Bonnie & Robin
James, Marily, David & Bestsy Knapp
Tracie, Megan, Shana Zueger & Toy Garza
The Lodge
Hospice Team
President William J. Craft Concordia College Community
Paul Johnson & Family
Richland Federal Credit Union
Ann & Steve
Mark & Susan Beecher
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