Lester Reinold Johnson, 96

Lester Reinold Johnson, 96, died of natural causes at the Northern Rockies Medical Center on Nov. 19, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held next summer.

Lester was born April 27, 1912, on a ranch outside of Tiger Butte. He was the oldest son of Hugo Reinold and Elizabeth Dee (Howard) Johnson and had three siblings, a brother, Leonard Clarence, and sisters, Margaret Dee (Fontaine) Canoy and Ethel Bernice (Winslow). Lester grew up on the family farm in the Red Butte area and attended elementary school at the Red Butte School. He attended high school in Great Falls.

In 1935, he married Ruth Kathryn (Colognes) at the Red Butte Church. Lester met Ruth at a country dance and box social at Pleasant View Hall. Ruth was the absolute love of his life and they were married for 73 wonderful years.

In his 96 years he worked a variety of jobs. Lester was known as a man of high integrity and his hard work helped shape the Montana landscape. As a young man, Lester delivered milk with a team and wagon in the Eden Country south of Great Falls. He farmed and worked on road-building jobs using a team of horses.

Lester worked at the 7-UP Gold Mine near Lincoln and at the Emma Mine in Butte. He worked on the Fort Peck Dam, then later on operated a sawmill at Logging Creek, south of Great Falls.

Lester went to Alaska on a Liberty ship as a civilian during World War II to work at Shemya building airplane runways. He also worked in the Northwest Territories helping to build the Alcan Highway. His address while there was: Joe Graves Cat Train, Whitehorse, Northwest Territories.

After the death of his father in 1944, Lester returned to the family farm to help his mother.

In 1946, Lester and Ruth, along with their children, moved to the Browning area where he ranched with his cousin, Fred Johnson. He ranched for several years and was an expert horseman.

In 1953, Lester and his family moved to St. Mary (next to Glacier Park) to open their own business, Johnson's of St. Mary. They have operated a very successful cafe and campground for the past 58 years.

In 1955, Lester had the contract to provide tents, showers and food for the seismograph crew at Badger Cabin. Lester hauled all of the supplies from Rising Wolf Ranch with a team and wagon. He also worked as a big game outfitter and guide.

He had a passion for cooking, whether in the restaurant or in hunting camp. He was a gifted storyteller and humorist and often enjoyed sharing stories with the many visitors at Johnson's Cafe and Campground.

Lester was a Justice of the Peace for Glacier Country in the 1970s. He was a lifelong Methodist and was instrumental in getting the Methodist Church built at Babb, plus served on several local and state church boards. For over 50 years, he would make about 500 popcorn balls for the church Christmas programs, much to the delight of everyone.

Lester really did see the sun come up in one era delivering milk with a team and wagon, and the sun set in another era chasing bears though his campground on his electric golf cart. When asked by one of his grandchildren what was the biggest change he had ever seen in his long life, he replied, "electricity." Lester was a giant of a man and will be missed by all who knew him.

Children include Hugo Johnson and Melvina, Elizabeth Dee and Jack Ray, Lester Reinhold Johnson Jr., and Mary Margaret, Margy Johnson and Kristin Johnson St. Goddard. After the death of their mother, Lester and Ruth raised their two nephews, Eldon Clark Fontaine and Carol, and Leonard Jay Fontaine and Kathleen.

Grandchildren are Roxanne Johnson, Ronald Johnson, Gary Johnson, Hugo Johnson Jr., Jackie Conway, Tammi Ray, Sandy Jo Wilcox, John Wesley Ray, Lester Reinold Johnson III, Matthew Johnson, Wade Pitts, Nathan Johnson St. Goddard and Kyle Johnson St. Goddard.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; and two of his children, Lester Reinold Johnson "Randy" and Elizabeth Dee Ray "Dee Dee."

In remembrance of Lester, donations may be sent to Glide's Club Seattle, 1400 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122.