GEIRI JOHNSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GEIRI JOHNSON March 17, 1920 - December 2, 2009 Geiri passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at the age of 89 years. He was born March 17, 1920 in Wynyard, SK and moved to Manitoba as a very young child. He lived briefly in Hnausa and Selkirk as a child. His family then settled at the homestead in Arnes, at Drunken Point. Dad had a Grade 5 education, and was proud of all he accomplished despite only having gone a short way in school. He was most certainly a jack-of-all-trades, able to fix or build or create all sorts of things. He believed in saving anything and everything that could possibly be useful for something, sometime - a pioneer believer in recycling to be sure. In his youth he helped fishermen and trapped, then became a fisherman himself. In February of 1942 dad was conscripted into the Army, where he spent time in Halifax, Victoria, Tofino and Vancouver. It was during his time in Vancouver in 1943 that he met mom, a dark-haired, blue-eyed Irish girl on a blind date on May 15. Dad proposed to her exactly a month later on June 15, and they were married a month after that on July 17. By that time dad had been medically discharged from the Army, and they immediately headed back to Manitoba to start a new life and new adventures together. Dad had a fascination with airplanes since he was a child and the commercial fishing he did for 14 summers on Great Slave Lake, NWT lead to the opportunity of his first plane ride. This was a life-altering event. In his early 30s he made a decision to take on a challenge to try something new and, with mom's help, he worked and studied hard to earn his private and commercial pilot's licences. This forever changed the path of fate for his family. Mom and dad bravely embarked upon starting a new business, building an airline and fishing lodge, which are still very proudly family owned to this day as Northway Aviation and SasaGinniGak Lodge. Dad was thrilled and proud to have two of his children, and four of his grandchildren follow in his footsteps and get their pilot's licences also. Dad was a true dog person . He had a lot of love and respect for them, as he had worked and been around more dogs than the average person, having owned and cared for many dog teams. Dad and mom loved to feed the birds in the winter and watch the deer meander through their yard. They also loved to travel all over Canada, coast to coast to coast in their motorhome for many years. Dad was an avid reader and collector of books and publications. He loved music, most of all fiddle music. From square dances and barn dances in the earlier years to attending many country music concerts, as well as various fiddle festivals around the countryside later on. Saturday night would always find mom and dad's radio tuned to CFRY, listening to the Polka Party. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Anne; daughter Bonnie and son-in-law Larry Danard, daughter-in-law Veronica Johnson, son-in-law Frank Zierk (Inez); grandchildren Ingrid Morton (Earl), Karmen Johnson (Chris Mellen), Brenda Mandin (Mike), Naomi Johnson (Rich Nelson), Merlin Johnson, Duncan Danard, and Erynne Danard; great-grandchildren Carly Johnson, Dakota Johnson (and their mom Karen Johnston), Curtis Mandin, Ethan Mandin, Kieran Mellen, Logan Morton, Quinn Mellen. He was predeceased by daughter Naida in 1996, and son Jim in 2003. We would like to thank the amazing, caring staff and residents at the Mary Thorarinson Estates (Assisted Living) in Arborg, staff at the Arborg Hospital and the wonderful staff at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. According to dad's wishes, cremation has taken place, and there will be a private memorial service for immediate family. Yes dad, it's time to get the snowshoes out. Rest well, we love you. Flyer's Prayer (Patrick J. Phillips) When this life I'm in is done, And at the gates I stand, My hope is that I answer all His questions on command. I doubt He'll ask me of my fame, Or all the things I knew, instead, He'll ask of rainbows sent On rainy days I flew. The hours logged, the status reached, The ratings will not matter, He'll ask me if I saw the rays And how He made them scatter. Or what about the droplets clear, I spread across your screen? And did you see the twinkling eyes, Of student pilots keen? The way your heart jumped in your chest, That special solo day - Did you take time to thank the ones Who helped along the way? Remember how the runway lights Looked one night long ago When you were lost and found your way, And how - you still don't know? How fast, how far, how much, how high? He'll ask me not these things But did I take the time to watch The moonbeams wash my wings? And did you see the patchwork fields And mountains I did mould, The mirrored lakes and velvet hills, Of these did I behold? The wind He flung along my wings, On final almost stalled, And did I know it was His name, That I so fearfully called? And when the goals are reached at last, When all the flying's done, I'll answer Him with no regret - Indeed, I had some fun. So when these things are asked of me, And I can reach no higher, My prayer this day - His hand extends To welcome home a Flyer. Arborg (MacKenzie) Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 05, 2009