Merwyn W. Johnson

Merwyn Wilton Johnson

On September 25, 2019 at 79 years old, Merwyn Wilton Johnson passed away in Minot, North Dakota while being treated in the intensive care unit at Trinity Hospital. He was a beloved husband to his wife Barbara Lou (Ackerman) Johnson of 55 years. Merwyn Wilton Johnson was a strong, helpful and caring husband, brother, father, grandpa and uncle.

He was born on February 10, 1940 to Florence Olson and Norris B. Johnson in Maddock. He and his 4 brothers and 5 sisters grew up on their Johnson family farm at Baker, North Dakota. After leaving his school years in Maddock, Merwyn enlisted into the United States Army. From May of 1958 to May of 1960 Merwyn served in the Korean War as an Armor Crewman driving tanks. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

In the summer of 1963 Merwyn met Barbara in Esmond, N.D. they were married July 25, 1964 in Devils Lake at St. Josephs Church. They lived most of their lives on the west coast in Kirkland, Washington where they raised their 3 children. Merwyn’s first job in Seattle was loading trucks at Carnation Milk Company. In the early 70’s Merwyn went into concrete construction and established C and R Concrete (named after his boys) a foundation building company for residential homes in King and Snohomish Counties.

His hobbies were fishing and hunting, family camping and riding dirt bikes. Every summer he took his family back to North Dakota to visit with family and friends. Together Merwyn and Barbara loved to dance and entertain at their home. They had fun bowling and playing cards. He was a member of the Kirkland Eagles AERIE 2681 where he served as their President for 2 consecutive years. Several times both he and Barbara were honored as Outstanding Eagle Family of the Year and they received a National Award from the Eagle Newspaper for sponsoring and entertaining the 1982-Kirkland Little League World Baseball Champions during his presidency.

In the late 80’s Merwyn was hired as a Project Manager to run large government jobs for Kelly-Ryan Inc. (Steel and Construction) out of Seattle, Washington. His jobs took him to Area 51 in Nevada and remote islands throughout the state of Alaska. Many of his crew members always said they were lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Merwyn as he was a good leader and teacher in his trade.

In 2005, Merwyn and Barbara decided to move back to the state they came from, they chose the small town of Cando, North Dakota. Together they enjoyed their retirement life playing cards, supporting the local ball games and cheering on the “Bearcat” kids. Merwyn kept busy in his home shop building and fixing things. His anticipated seasonal hobby was combining for local farms.

He is preceded in death by both his parents, Florence and Norris Johnson, Sister Betty Lou Bergsguard, Grandson Joshua Evarts, Sister-in Law Lois Johnson and Judy Johnson, Brother in law Gary Ness and Bill Wright, Nephew Robbie Ness.

He is survived by his devoted wife Barbara Lou of 55 years, their 3 children; daughter, Tracy Ann Taylor and husband Thomas Lee Wigen, 2 sons, Charles (Chuck) Norris Johnson and Robert Merwyn Johnson. 4 grandchildren; Clayton Alan Taylor (resides in Wisconsin) and Weston Scott Taylor (Washington), Mitchell Dean Johnson (Washington) and Sophia Raquel Johnson (Washington). 2 great grandchildren are expected spring of 2020. Merwyn’s Brothers and Sisters; Glenn Johnson, Darrell Johnson, Jerry Johnson and wife Bonnie, Noreen Wright, Kathy and husband Dave Bjornstad , Deanna and husband Darryl Gotvaslee, Lanny Johnson, Lori and husband Doran Nelson.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Steven Wirth officiating. Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.