In Loving Memory of

Raymond Johnson

FUNERAL SERVICE

Thursday, January 17, 2019

2:00 p.m.

Chapel of Tompkins Funeral Home

Wadena, SK

Raymond Melvin Johnson was born in Wadena Union Hospital on August 26, 1929, the eldest of 8 children born to Olaf and Gerda Johnson of the Orpington District. Ray passed away at his home on January 9, 2019.

Raymond took all his schooling in Orpington School. He started his farming career on his father’s farm when he was old enough to drive a team of horses and ended his farming career on that same farm in 2009. In the off season he purchased and drove truck, including one winter across the ice in Flin Flon. Ray drove school bus from 1959 to 1994 and drove fuel truck for Hendon Co-op during summer holidays.

Ray was a self-taught mechanic and was happiest with his head and hands in a motor. He was always ready to help anyone in need, whether it be repairing vehicles, lawn mowers, tractors or anything else with a motor. He enjoyed striking up a conversation with people anywhere. His favorite pass times were camping, driving around the area to see how crops were coming along and how much water was standing, and bowling. Last year he won the Gold Medal in the Provincial Senior Games 85+ Men’s Singles. He held office on several boards including Hendon Credit Union, Scandia Lutheran Church and most recently Bethel Pentecostal Church in Kelvington.

Ray met his bride to be, Doris Engemoen, in the Hendon Curling Rink in 1955. They were married on August 8, 1958 and this past year celebrated their 60th Anniversary.

Ray leaves to mourn his wife Doris; daughter Laurel Swerhun; five grandchildren: Jennifer Johnson (Shane Molloy), Shayne Swerhun, Mathew (Chelce), Jacob (Samantha) and Leif (Nicole) Johnson; seven great granddaughters; sister Betty Gilbert; brother Jack Johnson; sisters-in-law Gae, Irma and Georgina Johnson and Shirley Kvemshagen and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Hal Johnson, parents Olaf and Gerda Johnson, brothers Vern, Ole, Leon and Larry Johnson, parents-in-law Halvor and Methilda Engemoen, brothers-in-law Willie Gilbert, Carrol, Don and Ray Engemoen, Lloyd Halldorson and Allan Kvemshagen and sisters-in-law Dianna Johnson and Phyllis Halldorson.

Raymond gave his heart to the Lord at a Seventh Day Adventist Crusade in Quill Lake and was baptised by immersion at Lake Charron. Right up until the day he died he read his Bible and prayed every morning.

Through our grief we can rejoice in the surety that he is now with the Lord he loved.