LEONARD JOHNSON

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LEONARD JOHNSON Leonard Johnson passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at The Gendreau Home in Ste. Rose du Lac surrounded by family. He was 96. Leonard was predeceased by his wife Ethel (Mailman) in 1984. He was also predeceased by his parents Margaret and Adalsteinn Johnson as well as nine of his siblings, Thelma (Taylor), Olive (Lundstrom), Violet (Erlendson/Mailman), Christopher, Joseph, Luella (Finney), Helgi, Freeman and Stanley. He is survived by his son Guy (Susan) and daughter Holly; as well as five grandchildren, Christian (Jackie) Duhard, Jodi (Byron) Funk, Rebecca (Jeremy) Alward, Meredith (John) Forbes and David (Meghan) Johnson and three great-grandchildren, Olin Duhard and Violet and Fisher Funk. He is also survived by three sisters, Grace (Anderson), Freda (Olafson) and Audrey (Clayton), and numerous nieces and nephews. Leonard was also predeceased by in-laws Gudrun and Herbert Mailman, Albert, Walter, Gilbert, Marian, Valdina and Lloyd, and is survived by Ben, Edward, Laura, Helen, Earl and Douglas. Leonard was born on December 19, 1918 at Lonely Lake. He was a strong and gentle man who was dearly loved and respected by his children and grandchildren for his easy going manner and patience. Leonard was an unassuming man who had few material wants and needs. He would describe himself as a bit of a loner as he never required a lot of fanfare. Leonard was always happy when he had his family close. Ranching was Leonard's passion and he was very successful at it due to his cattle smarts and hard work. His hardest times came when he lost his wife and love of his life, Ethel, to cancer in 1984, just as he was retiring from ranching. Leonard had always enjoyed sports, especially baseball in his younger years where he was well known for his pitching abilities. He was also an avid horseshoe player and travelled to different parts of Canada to compete in tournaments, with many trophies to show for it. After Ethel passed away Leonard took up the game of golf at the age of 65. Golfing quickly became his new passion. He grew very proficient in a short time due to his highly competitive nature and natural athletic ability. As a young man Leonard was taken away from the family ranch to serve in the army where he spent about four years of his life. If you were ever to have a deep conversation with Leonard you would learn that he hated war but he knew that he was required to do his duty for his country. He made some good friends in the army and did talk about his army days especially in his later years. Leonard came from a large, close gregarious family of 13 siblings. He was the sixth born and was the baby the longest in the family as his sister, Luella, wasn't born until Leonard was just over three years old. But coming from a hardworking family where everyone had a job to do at a very early age, there was no time to be spoiled. Leonard will be remembered as a quiet man who liked to have a good time socializing with his brothers, friends and neighbours, playing sports, talking about his work and having a drink or two. He was a man of few words who never needed to be the centre of attention but whose intelligence, quiet sense of humour and infectious laugh always brought him respect. The family would like to thank the staff at The Gendreau Home for the wonderful care Leonard received, allowing him to live and die with dignity while he was a resident there. Thanks also to all our family and friends for their support during this difficult time. "Always Remembered, Loved and Missed By Your Family. May You Rest In Peace" A memorial service will be held in honour of Leonard Johnson on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Westlake Community Centre, Eddystone, Manitoba A private interment will be held at the gravesite at Bay End at 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to assist with the maintenance of the cemeteries in the Eddystone area. Please send donations to Jeanette Richards, General Delivery, Eddystone, MB R0L 0S0. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services, Ste. Rose Chapel 204-447-2444 www.sneathstrilchuk.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 12, 2015