Eloris Johnston
Eloris Delayne (Will) Johnston, 91, died Nov. 10, 2021, at the McCone Nursing Home in Circle.
She was born April 24, 1930, in Wishek, N.D., daughter of William and Amelia (Koth) Will. She was the fifth child of 13 born to this union. Her education took her through the eighth grade in Burnstad, N.D.
She had a ruptured appendix when she was a young child. She had to ride in a horse and buggy to Burnstad, N.D., where they caught the train and traveled to Bismarck, N.D. An ambulance was waiting for them and took them to the hospital. Because of this medical emergency, she was unable to retain all of her teeth and needed dentures for the remainder of her life.
Daily lives of the siblings were filled with many adventures and, of course, farm chores which included the twice daily milking of the cows. The family survived on the cream, butter and milk from the cows. The family farmed in the Wishek area until 1946. Then, William moved the family to Richey looking for a better life for them planning to farm. He ended up working in the Peavey elevator. She would work in the cafes in Richey to help with family expenses.
She met Dave Johnston and they married Feb. 25, 1948, at the Presserville Baptist Church in Vida. To this union, five children were born, Garald, Gregory, Myron, Maureen and Marlin. She had her hands full especially with four boys, but gently and tenderly adored her one daughter.
Life on the family farm was hard work for all. She was always right beside the rest of the family picking rock on freshly broken fields on warm days. She learned to operate the JD 6600 and 7700 combines and also ran the 4010 and 5010 JD tractors and toolbar.
She always had a large garden and canned much of the produce. Many of her grandchildren remember riding with her to Williston each spring to pick up baby chicks and later each summer was spent butchering the chickens.
Crocheting, embroidery and hardanger were pastimes but, in reality, they were pieces of art and treasures her children and grandchildren were blessed to receive. She loved attending her children and grandchildren’s basketball, football and volleyball games and was an avid fan. Long trips were shortened by her handiwork in a suitcase.
She loved and prayed for her family and enjoyed hugging her grandchildren, especially the babies, she just wanted to “squish ‘em”. She cared deeply for her children and grandchildren. She would console them and make them feel loved whenever she was around them with a smile on her face. When there was a sleepover at grandma’s, there was always a book and Bible verse about God shared with them at bedtime.
She had a kind special heart and soul. Everyone who met her took away a sense of friendship, love and camaraderie. Her wit and ability to hold her own in conversations was impeccable.
She was a member of the Richey Alliance Church and faithfully attended Alliance Women's meetings and enjoyed attending ladies retreats in the spring and fall.
She was always very active and enjoyed living on the farm. She went to the Mc-Cone County Hospital in 2012 when Dave was admitted due to deteriorating health. After his death in August 2012, she resided at the McCone County Nursing Home.
Shes was preceded in death by her brothers, Victor, Dave, Earl, Harley, infant brother and Arden Will; sisters, Lavina Mitzel, Lucile McDaniel, infant sister and Leona Westman; and great-granddaughter, Shelby Sedgwick.
Survivors include her children, Garald D. Johnston of Winifred, Gregory W. Johnston of Lewistown, Myron A. Johnston of Richey, Maureen E. Buller of Kalispell and Marlin W. Johnston of Richey; 17 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and siblings, Harold Will of Great Falls and Dyann Mc-Crory of Plentywood.
Her funeral service as held on Monday, Nov. 22, at the Richey Alliance Church in Richey with Pastor Paul Sponheim officiating. Interment was in the Richey Cemetery.
