Wilbur T Johnson June 7, 1917 – October 30, 2010
A long and healthy life came to an end on October 30th, 2010 for Wilbur T Johnson, age 93, of Wolf Point, MT. He was born in Wolf Point on June 7, 1917, the first child of Holger and Inga Johnson and was raised on the family farm with his two brothers and one sister.
Wilbur married Lucille Fredrickson in 1937 and was blessed with four children. Wilbur followed in his father’s footsteps and bought the family farm in the Sand Creek area north of Circle. They were so poor he had to borrow money from the bank to buy a radio.
Dad was a self made man as a farmer, rancher and later as an electrician. He attended college in Bozeman to learn how to be a better farmer and rancher and used those skills during good times and bad to hold everything together. At 15, he was capable of moving a whole herd of cattle on horse back from the Sand Creek area, across the ferry at Oswego and to the stock yards across the river. In the 50’s he started another career as an electrician and worked at the Glasgow Airbase and Fort Peck Powerhouse. He became a master electrician and wired many of Wolf Point’s local businesses and homes. He was generous and took on apprentices who, in later years, have gone and taught others. He was the original “pay it forward” kind of guy.
Wilbur was an honest man, a man of integrity, who went the extra mile for all of those in his life. He was not only the head of our family but took the leading role with his siblings and parents in their later life. All we had to do was make a phone call and Dad would do what ever he could to move us, take care of our children or give us reassuring words and encouragement. Quitting or being a failure at something was never a part of his vocabulary.
Dad was a practical man; and he was proud that he could save his money so he could pay cash for that special pickup. He loved his cars dating back to when he was a teenager. When posing for pictures he was usually standing in front of one of them with a big smile on his face. He often told the story of his first road trip, that at age 9 he drove his mother and siblings back to Mandan.
Education was very important to Wilbur and was extremely proud that his children were college graduates. There were times when we wanted to quit but he was determined we would have the skills to support ourselves. He wanted us to be the best that we could be and not settle for less.
In his youth, Wilbur enjoyed playing baseball and working on machinery. In retirement he was able to enjoy his circle of family and friends, while pursing his interest in playing cards at the Senior Center. We all tried to beat Dad at checkers or cards without much luck. He was able to “count the cards” and would often tell us how to play our hand.
He loved his garden and was famous for his huge Pontiac red potatoes that made the best lefsa. He was known all over town for his garden and he sent us all home with tomatoes, cucumbers and squash. He could make a lunch out of a bowl of soup, plate of tomatoes and a dry land onion.
Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 68 years, Lucille; brothers, Dean and Les; and beloved grandson, John Marcus Christianson.
He is survived by his four children, daughters, Donna (Bud) Jensen, Dayle (Allen) Sandaker, Patty (Steven) Berge and son James (Linda) Johnson; his 10 Grandchildren Rebecca and Brock (Heather) Christianson; Ryan (Kami) and Rhys Sandaker and Chelsee (David) Stith; Arah ( Scott) Jeide and Rhianna (Morgan)Hirschenberger; Carly (Charlie) Hibl, Loni and Jesse Johnson. He is survived by three great-grandchildren; Amara and Reed Jeide and Kale Sandaker and his sister Elinor Welch. Other extended family: Charlotte Dolezal, Kelly Jensen, Gina Hunt and Paul Jensen.
His quiet wisdom and humor will live on in his families’ memories. You started us on our road to personal and professional success and I want to thank you and say we will see you down the road apiece.
At Wilbur’s request, cremation has taken place. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, November 5, at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. If friends desire, the family suggests memorials be made to First Lutheran Church or the Wolf Point Area Museum.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.