Andy Johnson

Andy Johnson passed away after a long illness on March 6, 2021 at the Caliche Memory Care Center with his loving wife at his side.
Andy was born to Ole and Sophia Johnson, immigrants from Norway, on March 27, 1930 in Plentywood Montana. Andy always had a lively interest in his Norwegian heritage and made several visits back to Norway to see his relatives.
His parents spoke broken English so taught the children Norwegian because they wanted them to learn proper English in school. Andy was held back so he could start school with his younger sister, Ruth. However, Ruth died that fall so Andy started school when he was older than many. He was in second grade by Thanksgiving time!
Andy lost his father at age 8 and at an early age assumed the farm and family responsibilities. He would get the crop in the field and then in his latest model car would head out on a road trip. In 1955 at Dagmar convention he made his choice to serve the Lord and remained true to his choice until the end.
It was in 1957 he met and married Gloria Trevithick and spent their first winter in Phoenix, Arizona. They lived on the family farm near Reserve where they raised their four children. He took up flying in the mid-70s and loved to fly to view his crops and to go see his grandchildren. Gloria passed away in 1999.
On March 24, 2000 Andy married Eleanor Peters at Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Andy and Eleanor enjoyed 21 years together, living in Montana in the summer and Arizona in the winter. After Andy retired he continued to keep busy, making handmade wood gifts for his children, visiting his latest grandchild and travelling. He loved assisting at the convention grounds at both Dagmar and Casa Grande.
None of us will be able to eat a piece of lefse or Klub without thinking about our Grandpa Andy.
Andy is preceded in death by his parents, an older brother and younger sister and his first wife, Gloria and Gloria’s brother and sisters. He is survived by his wife Eleanor and his four children: Joanne (Greg) Dutton of Billings, Montana; Stanley (Merlene) of Cody Wyoming; Shirley (Chuck) Roloff of Big Timber, Montana; and Lauren (Sandy) of Casa Grande, Arizona; 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother and a sister: John (Eva); Sylvia (Elton) Overby, all of Plentywood, Montana; a sister-in-law Della Chrisp of Medicine Hat, Alberta and many nieces and nephews, including those in Norway, and many friends.