Milton Johnson

Funeral Mass for Milton Johnson, 89, of Killdeer, will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Killdeer with Father Darnis Selvanayakam celebrating.  Burial will take place in Grassy Butte Cemetery.


Visitation for Milton will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 13
th
at High Plains Cultural Center in Killdeer, with a rosary & vigil service being held at 6:30 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, at the church.


Milton passed away Thursday, February 9, 2017 west of Killdeer, surrounded by his family.


Milton was born December 3, 1927, to Jerome Randolph and Ruth Agnes (Fisher) Johnson.  He grew up on the family ranch west of Killdeer and attended country school as well as school in Killdeer.  In his 8
th
grade year, his dad broke his leg and Milton left school to help run the ranch.   He later met Betty Lou Lanphear and they were married on December 26, 1952 at Grassy Butte, ND.  After working at several McKenzie County ranches; including the Figure Four (Kennedy Ranch) and the Creighton Ranch, they moved to Grassy Butte to take over the Lanphear homestead.  In 1974 they moved to the Lazy Tee Jay Ranch, west of Killdeer, and ran both ranches.  Betty Lou and Milton were once named McKenzie County Family of the Year.  In 2010, Betty Lou and Milton were Grand Marshalls of the Killdeer 4
th
of July Parade.


Milton enjoyed riding a fast stepping horse, helping his neighbors, hunting, snowmobiling, and watching Westerns, rodeos, and the PBR.  He took great pride in teaching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to ride and respect horses. He was happy to help many youth from the area shoot a deer or train a horse and then invited them in for a good meal!  Milton always enjoyed sharing a sip of schnapps with his friends and family or a cup of coffee and caramel roll with neighbors.  He will be remembered for his horsemanship, smile, kindness, generosity, storytelling abilities, great sense of humor and subtle wink.  He was the world’s best husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, uncle, friend and neighbor.


Milton is survived by his children, Fayleen (Tim) Fischer of Killdeer and Nanette (Todd) Edmondson of Killdeer, Verna (Ken) Kadrmas of Bismarck, ND, Al (Wendy) Luckow of Thompson Falls, MT, Jeff (Erin) Anderson of Stillwater, MN; 13 grandchildren, Kristle, Lacy, Dani (Brian), Justin ( Sylvannah), Britney (Tyler), Paige, Megan, Luke (Krystle ), Shannon (Kolie), Brant (Jacquelyn), Jared, Travis, Jolie and Aiden; 16 great-grandchildren, Ty, Mya, Lily, Jace, Finley, Brekyn, Truett, JW, Emery, Maverik, Breyton, Tenley, Tyson, Zander, Owen, Kimberlynn, Jazy and Izy; and sister, Dorothy Foell and brother in law, Bob Olson, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou; parents, Jerome and Ruth; daughter, Milody; sister, Blanche Bang; and brothers, Duane and Clayton Johnson.


 


Johnson Milton memorial card


Burial Date: February 14, 2017
Church St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Killdeer
Rosary & Vigil Service: 6:30 p.m. Monday, February 13th at High Plains Cultural Center in Killdeer
Visitation: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 13th at High Plains Cultural Center in Killdee