Ralph W. Johnson

Ralph W. Johnson, 79, died Dec. 22 2009, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish after a long battle with cancer.

Ralph Johnson was born July 3, 1930, in Livingston, to Ralph W. Johnson and Margaret Johnson. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart in October 1953. He served later in the U.S. Air Force and in the U.S. Army Reserve where he retired.

He operated and maintained all types of heavy equipment from tractors to semis, and worked in logging, road construction, and oilfields from Texas to North Dakota to Alaska. To him, rebuilding a diesel engine in a snowstorm was just another day's work, and he wouldn't quit till the job was done. He retired in 1998.

He was married to Patricia McCann in 1957 and had four children. Mitchell, Donna, Donald and Michael. They were divorced in 1966.

He later married Loureine and brought into his family four stepchildren — Joanne, Michael, Kenneth and William.

He is survived by his sister Ruth Cole of Columbia Falls; daughter Donna Brown of Hungry Horse; sons Mitch Johnson of Four Lakes, Wash., Don Johnson of Parachute, Colo.; stepsons Mike Nelson of Newport, Wash., Bill Johnson of Spokane, Wash.; and stepdaughter Joanne Nelson of Williston, N.D.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Loureine Johnson; parents Ralph W. Johnson and Margaret Johnson; brother, Bruce Johnson; and son Michael Johnson.

A graveside service was held at C. E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell on Dec. 30, 2009, with a reception at the North Valley Eagles in Columbia Falls.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.