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Melford Johnson • 1924 - 2008 Melford Johnson was born May 24, 1924 on the family farm in Rockford Township, north of Norma, ND, the son of Johannes and Ida (Edwardsen) Johnson. He attended schools in Rockford Township, Tolley and the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He farmed with his father. As a youth he was active in 4-H and then was a leader for 10 years. Melford married Betty Lou Nissen on November 14, 1948 at Van Hook, ND and lived on Mel's farm. In November of 1951 they moved to Brush, CO, where Mel was employed as Maintenance Engineer for Ebenezer Hospital and Home. They returned to North Dakota after the death of his uncle, Bill and farmed his grandfather's homestead. Mel began doing carpentry for others and soon this was his main work. Mel's father later joined him and they did carpentry work together for many years. Mel and Betty served with the Peace Corps in Barbados from 1982-1984. In 1987 Mel read about the newly formed Mission Builders of the church. They worked on 13 church projects from 1987 through 1996. Mel was given an award for his special work as foreman on many projects. In 1997 they were asked by Mission Builders to assist in repair work on some churches and homes in Grand Forks after the flood. Because of his failing health, they left the farm in November 2005 and moved into an apartment in Kenmare. Mel was a very skilled man and worked at various trades, but his favorite was woodworking in his shop. His love of the outdoors and trees was also well known by his family and friends. He was a member of Evanger Lutheran Church, rural Norma, where he had served as treasurer and on the church council. He also served on the Fairbanks Township Board for years. Those who shared in his life, loving wife, Betty, Kenmare; daughter, Barbara (Alan) Scherbenske, Kenmare; sons, Ronald (Jerrie) Johnson, Mohall and David (Linda) Johnson, Pueblo, CO; grandchildren, Kevin (Angie) Scherbenske, Bismarck, Jenny (Richard) Beeter, Minot, Tammy (Bruce) Jorgenson, Mohall, Joey Ann (William) Nelson, Mandan, Tory Johnson, Bismarck, Scott (Heather) Johnson, Menifee, CA, Shaun Johnson of California, Stephanie Johnson, Menifee, CA; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Kyle and Adyson Scherbenske, Michaela and Taylor Johnson, Jasmine, Shelby and William Beeter, Rhyder and Jerze Jorgenson and Andaleen Nelson; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Johnson, Kenmare, Nina (Dale) Uran, New Town, ND and Marilyn Nissen, Moorhead, MN; brothers-in-law, Ira (June) Nissen, Salem, OR and Paul (Patsy) Nissen, Rock Springs, WY. Many special nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Mel was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Jewell, Jerrold and Stuart Johnson. Funeral: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Evanger Lutheran Church, rural Norma, ND. Visitation: Tuesday, December 2, 2008, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare, ND. Burial: Evanger Lutheran Cemetery, rural Norma. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials sent to Mission Builders, 2038 Princeton Way, Montrose, CO, 81401, or to the charity of your choice. Officiant: Rev. Janet S. Gwin Music: Congregational Hymns Honorary Bearers: Mel's special relatives and friends Active Bearers: Mel's nephews Following the graveside service everyone is invited to join the family for lunch and fellowship in the church fellowship hall. The Johnson family would like to thank everyone for the many
acts of kindness shown during Mel's illness and now at this difficult
time. Your thoughts, prayers and visits are deeply appreciated
and will never be forgotten. God bless the memory of Mel Johnson!
To
view the inside of Mel's folder
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Melford
Johnson, 84, Kenmare, died Thursday, November 27, 2008 in a Minot
hospital.