Funeral services for Howard Johnson, age 89, of Leith, ND will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Carson, ND. Rev. Vern Picknally will officiate and burial will be in the Leith Cemetery. Full military honors will be afforded by the Walter J. Thome American Legion Post #45 of Carson, ND.


Special music will be provided by Tana Zimmerman, Janice Steinmetz, Lena Picknally, Ashley Berry and Rollie Hruza.


Serving as active casketbearers are Russell Werner, Robb Werner, Christopher Schuler, Weston Wells, Calvin Berry, Quinten Hedlin, Terry Haberstroh and Curtis Kauffman. All of Howard's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and neighbors are considered honorary casketbearers.


Howard Johnson was born on November 20, 1921 south of Leith, ND to Alfred and Anna (Anderson) Johnson. He grew up in Leith, played in the Leith band and graduated from Leith High School. Following his graduation he served in the U.S. Army during World War II.


Howard was united in marriage to Irene Brandt on March 21, 1948 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND. During their first year of marriage they stayed in Bismarck where Howard worked for Texaco. The following spring, they moved to the farm at Leith, ND where Howard's parents, Alfred and Anna had lived since Howard was 6 years old.


Irene, of course, was Howard's first love; but he also had a love for farming. He was fortunate to have had 50 great years with his John Deere Tractors to work the fields that he so enjoyed being in.


Howard was always willing to help friends with such things as snow removal, leveling land for irrigation and trucking for cattle and grain, along with many other services.


Howard and Irene enjoyed many trips together with family and friends. One of his most memorable trips was attending the Honor Flight in Washington, D.C. with his son-in-law, Gene Zimmerman. He also loved to fly, and in his later years took flying lessons and enjoyed many hours in the air.


He spent a lot of time with his old tractors, cars and trucks getting them ready for the many area parades he participated in. He also enjoyed the Old Timers Pool League in Carson with many of his buddies.


Howard will be greatly missed by family and friends who will cherish all the wonderful memories.


Howard passed away on Friday evening, September 2, 2011 at the Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin.


Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Irene Johnson, Leith, ND; three daughters, Judy (Irvin) Werner, Flasher, ND, Patti (Rollie) Hruza, Dayton, WY and Tana (Gene) Zimmerman, Leith, ND; eight grandchildren, Tanya, Russ, Robb, Christopher, Hailey, Ashley, Weston and Rayman; and eight great-grandchildren, Kaci, Derrik, Jaden, Emma, Tyler, Hallie, Jorden and Mason.


Howard was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Johnson; and his parents, Alfred and Anna Johnson.


Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, September 6, 2011 at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin, ND and one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday morning.