Harlen Harvey Johnson, 70

Harlen Harvey Johnson, 70, passed away July 9, 2012, following a courageous 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer, at his home in Bigfork.

Harlen was born in Wenatchee, Wash., to Olga K. Reimann Johnson and Gilbert C. Johnson on May 7, 1942. He moved to Seattle at the age of 4 with his family. He graduated from Shoreline High School in 1961.

He attended Everett Community College in Everett, Wash., for two years, then transferred to Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., where he received two Bachelor of Science degrees and one Master of Science degree.

In 1964, he married Sheila Edwards and they had two boys, Dean and Darren. Harlen and Sheila celebrated their 48th anniversary on July 3, 2012. They shared many wonderful adventures in their married life. Hiking, fishing, photography, hunting, cowboy action shooting and Boy Scouts with their boys were among the adventures he enjoyed the most.

Harlen’s first career, following graduation from college, was teaching science classes in Tonasket, Wash., where their first son Dean was born. He taught there for two years and then moved his family to Everett to be closer to his father who was dying of pancreatic cancer. He taught two years at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Wash. His second son Darren was born at that time. He then worked for three years as an environmental consultant and microbiologist.

Then the recession of the 1970s hit and he decided to move his family to Davenport, Iowa, and attend Palmer College of Chiropractic. He graduated three years later with honors and set up practice in Everett. In 1994, he sold his Everett practice and moved to Bigfork where he and Sheila had spent many vacations and fallen in love with the area and its people. Harlen truly enjoyed chiropractic and practiced in Bigfork for another 15 years. He sold his practice in 2008, and two years later was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

While working in Everett, Harlen became active in Boy Scouts of America as a Scoutmaster where he led a large troop on many adventures to include summer camp, many overnight backpack trips, and several 50-miler backpack trips. He touched the lives of many young men, many of whom became Eagle Scouts.  

He later was asked to be council commissioner for the Evergreen Council in Everett, which is the highest position a volunteer can hold. He was honored with the Silver Beaver Award, which is also the highest award a volunteer can receive.

In Montana, Harlen became actively involved in teaching Hunter Safety Education and recently received his 15-year volunteer award.

One of the most rewarding adventures Harlen and Sheila had was to go to Guatemala on several occasions and do mission work with the Hands for Peacemaking organization. In the tiny village of Barillias, they helped set up a small mission hospital and clinic to help natives who had never received medical care as we know it. Initially, he and a friend set up the X-ray department and Sheila set up the primitive laboratory. He assisted the doctors and also was able to help many folks with chiropractic. He enjoyed this commitment greatly.

Harlen is survived by his wife, Sheila; son, Dean and wife Tami, son, Darren and wife Diane; sister, Betty, and husband Curt; and his beautiful grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be announced later, and events will be held in both Montana and Washington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, P.O. Box 19024, Mail Stop J5-200, Seattle, WA 98109.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Harlen’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Harlen’s guest book.