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Shirley Ann Johnson, 84, West Fargo, ND died on Sunday, June 4, 2023 in her home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and surrounded by her family.
Shirley Johnson was born on April 25, 1939 in Valley City, ND to Clarence and Laura (Guck) Bistodeau. In 1943 her family moved to Fargo, ND. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Fargo. In 1952, her family returned to Valley City, ND and Shirley attended St. Catherine's Catholic School. Shirley married Elvin Johnson on April 25, 1956. Shirley and Elvin enjoyed 64 years of marriage and raised their seven children in Page, ND. In the early years of their marriage, Shirley and Elvin were a working farm couple at the Hartley Stock Farm in Page. In 1959, they moved to a farm a few miles east of Page and farmed for themselves until 1967. In 1963, they also purchased a water well drilling service and Shirley helped with the running of the business until 1975. In 1968, Shirley and Elvin moved a house and their family into the city of Page. In addition to the more than full job as a homemaker caring for seven children Shirley also worked at the Page Cafe for several years. In 1996, Shirley and Elvin took over mowing the St. James Catholic Cemetery in Page. In 2006, they took on the entire Page Cemetery which they did until 2015. Elvin preceded her in death in October of 2020 and Shirley moved to West Fargo, ND at that time.
Shirley loved spending time with family and was always planning some big event to get everyone together. In addition to holidays, milestone events such as birthdays and anniversaries there were also many family camping, fishing, and hunting excursions. Shirley loved to cook, bake and she always had something special on the menu that everyone looked forward to. Shirley adored her grandchildren and her great - grandchildren and they adored her. She always attended their birthday parties, confirmations, graduations, and any other life events. She loved attending as many of their sporting events as possible. Since moving to West Fargo in 2020, she was always on the go with family and often had a full social calendar. In their retirement years, Shirley and Elvin also enjoyed working in their yard, gardening, camping, and fishing together. They spent several winters in Texas in their 5th wheel camper or an apartment. They also took several driving trips around the country to visit family and other places such as California, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons, Grand Canyon, New Orleans, Branson, MO, the Kentucky Derby and even into Mexico. They also enjoyed their trip to Hawaii.
Shirley is survived by her children: Jeffery (Dorren) of Moorhead, MN, Ivy Savageau of Glyndon, MN, Sandy (Gene) Smith of West Fargo, ND, Barry (Sherry) of West Fargo, ND, Sherry (Todd) Steffen of Cooperstown, ND, daughter – in - law Kim Johnson of West Fargo, ND; seventeen grandchildren and twenty-six great - grandchildren; sister, Carol Bieber of Devils Lake, ND, brother; Steve (Jane) Bissel of Washington House Court, OH; brother - in - law; Glenn (Carmen) Johnson of West Fargo, ND and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband; Elvin, children; Rodney and Randy, parents; Clarence and Laura; step father, Alvin Fenno, brothers: Jerry Bistodeau and Stanley Bissel.
Family wishes memorials be made to: ND Autism Center, 647 13th Ave. East Ste. A, West Fargo, ND 58078.
Visitation: Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at West Funeral Home, WEST FARGO, ND.
Prayer Service: Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 7:00 PM at West Funeral Home, WEST FARGO, ND.
Funeral Service: Friday, June 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM at West Funeral Home, CASSELTON, ND.
Burial: Friday, June 9, 2023 at Page Cemetery, Page, ND.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com
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