Kenneth Oliver Harold Johnson

            Very peacefully and surrounded by his family, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our deeply loved husband, father, grandfather and brother Kenneth Oliver Harold Johnson at the Health Sciences Centre on September 15, 2019 at the age of 73 years.

            Ken was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 31, 1946.  He was raised on the family farm in Amaranth, with his parents Oli and Catherine and 11 siblings. Ken attended Lone Spruce School and later high school in Amaranth.  Ken met Grace in 1968 when he was working in Vancouver and he declared on their first date that he would be marrying her. Ken & Grace were married on February 6, 1970 in Vancouver.  They moved back to the family farm in July 1970 where they raised their 3 children and enjoyed the farming, small-town lifestyle.

            Ken was often described as being a bit of a character. He was well known for his wit and sense of humour and he loved to tease.  Ken had an incredible memory.  He could remember every detail from years gone by.  His memory was called upon often to settle disagreements or straighten out a story. Ken named almost every cow he had – he would find a special trait about them and give them a name or nickname and he remembered every cow and took many pictures of them and would even get out his photo album and talk with company about them.  Dad was very proud of his Ranch and he especially enjoyed it when his brothers and sisters would come out and they would go for long walks around the farm and reminisce about the good old days.  Of course farming and ranching were often not enough to sustain a proper lifestyle for his family – so he worked off the farm as well.  He drove School Bus for 15 years, worked as a farm hand in the busy season and also drove fuel truck.  He loved getting out and about and talking to people, especially one on one.  He had the ability to easily connect with people and he had a way of making his relationship with each person feel special.

            Ken cherished his family and especially enjoyed the many family gatherings and barbecues. He was very proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and hearing the latest things they were doing.  Grace was always a very supportive and dedicated wife to Ken and February 2020 would have marked their 50th Anniversary.  They had a very special, loving relationship and they truly were best friends.  During the final two months, when Ken was in hospital, she rarely left his side, except to get some rest or nourishment so that she could spend more time with him.  Their love was so strong and unwavering for each other and will always be a testament to their children and grandchildren.  Ken’s other passion was his faith in God and he took every opportunity he could to share that faith with friends and strangers alike.

            Left to Cherish Ken’s Memory are his loving wife Grace Johnson; daughter Angela (Dean) Cairns: grandchildren William, Brooke, Breanna and Cord; daughter Shelley Campbell (Chris Mackie): grandchildren Megan (Adam), Alyssa and Alexis; son Scott (Shawnna) Johnson: grandchildren Paige, Brittany, Morgan, Cole; brothers David Johnson, John (Lorraine) Johnson, Paul (Sharon) Johnson; sisters Trudy (Paul) Johnston, Rhoda O’Neil, Sharon (Dale) Cooper, Liz (Pic) Boiteau, Linda (Roy) Johnston; sister-in-law Loretta (Len) Ling; brothers-in-law David (Tamara) Anderson, Brian (Donna) Anderson, John Anderson as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

            Predeceased by his father Oli Johnson; mother Catherine Johnson; sisters Christine Mooney, Elaine Johnson, Eleanor Tocher; father-in-law Oliver Anderson; mother-in-law Hilda Anderson.

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