Edwin Johnson

Edwin Johnson, 92, formerly of Zahl and most recently of Williston, died Thursday morning, Sept. 18, 2008, of natural causes at his home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in rural Zahl. The Rev. April Peterson will officiate and interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. A family service open to the public will be held at 7 p.m. Monday.

Edwin Johnson was born to Rudolph and Elizabeth (Borsheim) Johnson on the family farm south of Zahl on Feb. 10, 1916. He was educated through eighth grade at a rural school close to the farmstead.

As a young man, Edwin helped on the farm, worked at Fort Peck Dam, and in the beet fields in Montana.

On Aug. 15, 1938, Edwin married Gail Smith in Sidney, Mont. In 1939, Edwin moved his young family to Hancock, Mass. He farmed and worked various jobs there before returning to Zahl in 1945.

Upon their return to North Dakota, Edwin and Gail purchased a farm south of Zahl. They resided on that farm until January 2004, when they moved to Williston.

Edwin was a member of Faith Lutheran Church. He spent many enjoyable hours hunting and fishing and was everyone’s favorite partner for card games. In later years, he was a member of the Alamo Senior Citizens.

Edwin was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lenora Sundstrom, Selma Johnson, and Virginia Torske. He was also predeceased by two daughters-in-law, Mary Johnson and Barbara Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Gail Johnson; children, Edwina (Len) Wilkins of Billings, Mont., Gary (Harriet) Johnson of Grand Haven, Mich., Judy (Gary) Denker, of Custer, S.D., and Robert Johnson of Williston In addition, Edwin leaves five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Winfred (Emily) Smith; sister-in-law, Kathleen Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are encouraged to send condolences to the family online at Fulkerson’s full service webpage, www.fulkersons.com.

Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Williston on Monday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.