Clifford Paul Johnson, 80

Clifford Paul Johnson passed away Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Kalispell.

He was born March 13, 1933, at the home place north of Dunseith, N.D. to Hans and Cynthia Johnson. He attended schools in Dunseith and Towner, N.D., Mayville State Teachers college and the University of North Dakota-Grand Forks, where he graduated with a master’s degree in education. 

In North Dakota, he served as superintendent in Courtenay, Hatton and Linton; also in Montana in Poplar, and from 1974 to 1991 in Hamilton, and from 1991 to 1992 at the University of Montana-Missoula where he taught business administration.

Cliff married Joy “Babe” Nordquist on April 14, 1960, in Dunseith. Cliff retired when he and Joy moved to Flathead Lake near Elmo in 1992, where they spent their summers, and their winters traveling. In 1997, Cliff was called to serve as superintendent of schools in Noxon until June of 1998, and then went into retirement again.

Cliff was preceded in death by his father, Hans, in 1965; his brother, Donald and sister-in-law, Bernice, in 1980; and his mother, Cynthia in 1998. 

Cliff is survived by his wife, Joy; his sons, Brad and Janet of Watertown, S.D., and Janet’s children, Matt and Jennifer; and Gerald LaPush of Washington; nephew, Dick, and Brenda, and children David and Jennifer Johnson of Dunseith; brother-in-law, Gary, and Sharlotte (Joy’s sister), and sons Branden and Jeremie Schwalk of Hannaford, N.D.; his uncle and aunt, Darrel and Dorothy Fassett, of Dunseith; and Gary Beyers of Columbia Falls, whom Cliff was "Pop" to. 

To honor Cliff's wishes, there will not be a service in Montana.  

Interment will be at Little Prairie Cemetery near Dunseith. 

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangments. Friends are encouraged to visit ww.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence.