HAROLD (HALLI) NIELS JOHNSON

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HAROLD (HALLI) NIELS JOHNSON Harold (Halli) Niels Johnson passed away on December 2, 2007 at the Arborg and District Hospital in Arborg, MB at the age of 82 years. He was predeceased by his father John James 1942; mother Sigurlin (Lena) - 1978; brother Stefan; sisters, Sigrun and Hilda; brothers-in-law, Louis Benson and Thor Stefanson and sisters-in-law, Mabel Stefanson and Margaret Johnson. Halli was born on the family farm in Arborg on the 26th of May 1925. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gudrun Anna (Stefanson) Johnson; sons, Reginald and James (Sheila) and three grandchildren - Paul, Beth and Tim; brother-in-law Baldur Stefanson; sisters-in-law, Jonina Benson and Ann Stefanson, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Halli's love of farming started at an early age as his father was unhealthy, and Halli took over the family farm in 1942 when his father passed away. Halli's farming career experienced huge leaps in technology. He started farming with horses. Throughout his career, he experienced open tractors, then tractors with cabs, then heated and air-conditioned cabs, and finally embraced GPS and auto-steering technology. This allowed him to have the tractor steer itself down the field and he only had to take control of the tractor to turn at the end of the field. Halli's farming started as a mixed farming operation and in the later years focused on growing grains and oilseeds. His favourite farm machine was the combine. The first combine he used was a pull-type Case combine with the first day of combining taking place on August 24, 1945. He continued to operate combines for the next 63 years ending with operating a Case 2388 combine this fall for a good portion of the 2007 harvest. Afi's passion for farming was so great that he always wanted to include the next generation and teach them all the wonderful things about farming. This included teaching Paul, Beth and Tim to identify different types of crops and to learn how to steer the combine and tractors. Halli was a loving husband, father, and grandfather (Afi). There was no stronger focus in his life than taking care of and looking out for his family. His only regret would be not seeing his grandchildren graduate from high school and get married. Farmer's Creed I believe a man's greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming. I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person's character. I believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honourable way a man can spend his days on this earth. I believe farming nurtures the close family ties that make life rich in ways money can't buy. I believe my children are learning values that will last a lifetime and can be learned in no other way. I believe farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth, and maturity in such a variety of ways. I believe many of the best things in life are indeed free: the splendor of a sunrise, the rapture of wide open spaces, and the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring. I believe that true happiness comes from watching your crops ripen in the field, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feels the pride that springs from their shared experience. I believe that by my toil I am giving more to the world than I am taking from it; an honour that does not come to all men. I believe my life will be measured ultimately by what I have done for my fellow man, and by this standard I fear no judgement. I believe when a man grows old and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he's lived. I believe in farming because it makes all this possible. This was written for New Holland, 1975, author unknown. The family would like to thank Dr Smeida and the staff of the Arborg and District Hospital Emergency room, the ambulance paramedic staff as well as the Arborg Fire Department that took Halli to the hospital, the Emergency Medical Services (9-1-1) that helped during the time of waiting for the ambulance to arrive and a special thanks to Deloris Fiarchuk who sat with Mom so she would not be alone while we were at the hospital. As per Halli's request, there will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place, and a private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Arborg (Mackenzie) Funeral Home in care of arrangements. Goda nott Halli, Dad, and Afi. We all love you!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 08, 2007