Obituary of Don Johnson

Celebrating The Life Of Don Johnson

Donald Everett William Johnson was born January 3, 1939, in Wadena, Saskatchewan, to Edna (née Engdahl) and John Johnson, and passed away in Wadena Hospital on Nov. 11, 2024. We are grieving the loss of an intelligent, practical man whose decency and respect for duty were among his many admirable qualities.
Don's childhood included his first job walking Joanne (Otterdahl) Bohl to school for 10 cents a week, an experience that taught him from an early age the value of responsibility. He attended Normania School and graduated from high school in Margo, Saskatchewan. He married Grace Ann Benson in 1958, forming an enduring partnership that lasted till her passing in 2005.
The couple raised a family of four. While Grace was a devoted homemaker, Don earned a teacher's certificate from the University of Saskatchewan. He taught at Quill Lake High School before becoming vice-principal in Semans, Saskatchewan, and then principal of Margo School.
In 1969, Grace and Don purchased his dad’s farm and Don left his teaching career behind. Despite the demands of farming, he always made time for coaching and playing hockey, curling, and memorable trips with good friends to the United States. Don and Grace left the agricultural life behind in their forties and Don tried his hand selling insurance before investing in a Massey-Ferguson partnership in Wadena for several years. But as Mr. Twinkletoes never liked to stay in any one place for long, Grace and Don eventually moved to Osoyoos, BC; Olds, Alta. (where he built and operated a self-storage facility); Salmon Arm and then Kelowna, BC.
In retirement, golf became a passion and he played nearly every day until health issues slowed him down in 2019-20. A testament to his skill: he made two hole-in-ones, and shot “under his age” at least once – a feat that impresses golfers, and he was pretty pleased about it himself.  
In the summer of 2023 Don purchased a home in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He lived there for a year before failing health required moving to Wadena to be even closer to family and lifelong friends. He made a point of keeping in touch with everyone and staying on top of things to the best of his ability.
Don's memory lives on through his children, Kathy (Scott) Johnson, Karen (Richard) Andreas, Cameron Johnson, and Joan (Gary) McEwan; his grandchildren, Emil and Everett Johnson-Feil, Marc (Michelle), Cara, and Danielle Andreas, Kaity (Clayton) Poole, and Jordan and Ben McEwan. He leaves great-grandchildren Lexi, Everley, and Jaxen Andreas; Kade, Trea, Hayes, and Kian Guilbault; and Gray and Sloan Andreas.
Don was always on the move, whether relocating his household or visiting family and friends. No grass was ever known to grow under those feet! He could be tactful and minded his own business, but he also believed in calling it like he saw it. It was important to him to be honest in all his dealings.
Don is remembered as a gentleman, one whose reliability, loyalty, and love of a joke will be missed by his family and many friends.
 

A Celebration Of Life

will be held

at a later date.

 

Those wishing

to send cards of caring & sympathy

may send them to

The Johnson Family

P.O. Box 122

Wadena, SK S0A 4J0

 

Donations in memory of Don

may be made to

Margo Cemetery

C/O RM of Sasman