Otto Johnson

Funeral Service for Otto L. Johnson, 85 of Belle Fourche, SD formerly of Capitol, MT will be 2:00 p. m. Monday, April 16, 2007 at the Little Missouri Lutheran Church at Capitol with Pastor Art Weitschat officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Capitol Cemetery at Capitol, MT. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Otto Luther Johnson was born June 20, 1921 at Harrold, SD to John O. and Sophie A. (Burki) Johnson. He spent his entire life at the ranch near Sheep Mountain, Capitol, MT. Otto was a member of the Little Missouri Lutheran Church. Otto rode horseback 5 miles to the Sand Creek School, a one room log building with a dirt roof. He started working in a sawmill in the Long Pines when he was 15 years old and worked for area ranchers later including the Jay Buck Ranch. In 1938, he attended the Hanson Auto and Diesel School at Fargo, ND and worked one year as a mechanic at the Case Implement for Curt Shaw. Otto married Inez Ardelle (Overn) Rolph in 1961 at Spearfish, SD. They raised quality Polled Hereford cattle for many years and Otto did custom hauling, dirt work and farming along with running their small ranch. He retired from active ranch work due to failing health in 1996, selling part of the ranch and machinery but kept living at the ranch until the end of January 2007. Otto and Inez sold the balance of the ranch to Otto?s niece and husband, Lynette and Dave Donahey, in 2002 but continued to live at the ranch. Otto is survived by his loving wife, Inez Johnson, Belle Fourche, SD, a sister-in-law, Lois Johnson, Capitol, MT and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, John and Sophia and his brother, Ole John Johnson preceded him in death. The family requests memorials be made to the Little Missouri Lutheran Church.


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Burial Date: April 16, 2007
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral: Monday, Little Missouri Lutheran Church, Capitol, MT.