Evart Mahlon Johnson

Posted

(December 25, 2001)

Funeral services for long-time Heart Mountain farmer, Evart Mahlon Johnson, will be conducted Friday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Union Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Johnson, 93, died on Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25 in St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont.

The Rev. David Hunter will officiate at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Johnson was born Dec. 20, 1908, in Jamestown, N.D., son of Ernest Dennison Johnson and Adeline (Wiese) Johnson. He lived in North Dakota, Iowa, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.

He married Edith (Betty) Sowards in Cody on Oct. 9, 1943. He worked in many occupations, including logging and mining and as a mule skinner and mechanic, before he began farming on the Powell Flat for many years. After retiring from farming, he worked at the Homesteaders Museum in Powell for 12 years before settling into full retirement at the age of 84.

During the last two years of his life, he was able to remain at home with the help of a wonderful team of caregiver-friends, including Ginny Payne, Bill Smith, Marianne and Del Karmann, Evelyn Blasdell, Louise Ferguson, Veronica Spiering, Jane Faulkner and Connie Gilbert.

He was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed spending time with family, traveling (including a trip to Australia), gardening and western subjects in general. Among close friends, he was known for his sense of humor.

Survivors include a son, Michael Johnson and wife Leslie Fung and grandson, Ethan Johnson, of Winnetka, Ill.; two daughters, Janice Swartz and husband Rexford Swartz of Tacoma, Wash., and Marilyn Johnson of Aurora, Colo.; two brothers, Louis Johnson and wife Hazel of Eugene, Ore., and Eugene Johnson and wife Barbara of Coolidge, Ariz.; a sister, Helen Murphy and husband Andy of Bellevue, Wash.; a sister-in-law, Lil Sowards of Pierre, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews, including Dugan of Ralston and Trish Sowards of Tacoma, Wash., and their families.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty; brothers Dennison and Vern; and sisters Ellen, Myrtle and Ema.

For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Powell Medical Foundation, 777 Avenue H, Powell, WY 82435.

Visitation will be from noon until 1:30 p.m. Friday at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home.

Comments