Burton Johnson

Burton Elwood Johnson, 84, formerly of Steele, died July 16, 2012, at the Medcenter One Care Center off Collins, Mandan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, July 20, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, with Rev. Chad Gion officiating. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm – 8pm Thursday, July 19, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burton was born in Bismarck on April 10, 1928, to Otto and Miriam Johnson of Steele, ND. He attended Allen School which was one mile from the farmstead and graduated from Steele High School in 1946. Burton then enlisted in the Army and spent one year in Berlin, Germany. He was in the Signal Core. In 1949, Burton enrolled at the State School of Science, Wahpeton, ND, receiving his diploma as an electrician. During his college time his met DoLores Reubish of Breckenridge, MN. They were married in October 1950. Burton and DoLores resided on the family farm north of Steele and were blessed with five wonderful children, Sharon, Deb, Dale, Mary Ellen, and Kevin. During Burton's life he was involved with many things in addition to his electrician work and farming. In 1962, he was instrumental in establishing the Steele Credit Union in where he served as president of the board; he served on the Lone Steer Motel board, John Deere Service Center board, Golden Manor Nursing Home, the Tall Pines Apartments, and Steele Swimming Pool boards. He served 17 years on the Steele-Dawson School board as well as nine years on the Farmers Elevator Board. Burton was also a member of the Elks, Sons of Norway, Amvets, and American Legion. He was a member of St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church in Steele, and later a member of Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan. In 1968, Burton and DoLores purchased the Steele Hardware Co., later becoming JB Hardware Supply which relocated to the Johnson Steele Mini Mall in 1984. Burton and DoLores also owned and operated the Corner Corral Western store. Burton retired in 1995, traveling the states, visiting family and many friends. Burton and DoLores relocated to Mandan in 2008. Burton leaves his wife of over 61 years, DoLores; his five children, Sharon Binek, St. Paul, MN, Deb Jeff Abbott, Dawson, Dale Johnson, Steele, Mary Ellen Dickson, Mandan, and Dr. Kevin Misty Johnson, New London, TX; granddaughters, Mary Jane Scott Nipstad, Hickson, ND, Sarah Abbott, Bozeman, MT, Jennifer Lang, Fargo, ND, Ashley Meador, New London, TX, and grandson, Tyler Johnson, New London, TX; two great-grandchildren, Mason and Siera Nipstad, Hickson, ND. Burton was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Miriam Johnson; two sisters, Miriam Pierce and Florence Deutscher; nephew, David Deutscher; and son-in-law, Paul Binek. Burton had a kind and very generous heart and had a huge zest for life. He will be deeply missed by his family and his many special friends.

Burton Johnson

April 10, 1928 - July 16, 2012