Gary Duane Johnson, 68, of Cando, ND passed away peacefully Thursday evening, February 18, 2016 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando. Liturgy of the Word Funeral will be held on Monday, February 22, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cando at 2:00 p.m. with Father Joseph D'Aco officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home, Cando, ND followed by a Family Service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Sunset Park Cemetery, Grenora, ND at a later date. Visitation will also continue on Monday for one hour prior to the services in the church. Honorary Bearers will be Dale Farbo, Doug Braaten, Jack Tallarida, Steve Torpy, Brock Thomas and Brett Thomas. Music will be provided by Gladys Fluge, Catherine Anfinson and the Sacred Heart Choir.
Gary Duane Johnson was born on January 21, 1948 to Reuben & Clarice (Berg) Johnson in Rugby ND. Gary attended Cando Public School, graduating in 1966. While attending Lake Region Community College, Gary met Sharon Adams, and they were married on October 11, 1968 in Starkweather, ND. They began farming and raising their family on the Jim Bertrand farmstead. Gary was very proud to serve on the Farmers Union Oil Company board of directors, at one time serving as board president. Above all Gary took pride in his five children's academic and athletic accomplishments, especially, his love for following the Cando Odnacs hockey family. In 1994 Gary joined Shary in Grenora, ND, and began working for John Deere, doing the job he loved most, working as a combine technician at Grenora Implement. He continued his work for John Deere dealerships in LaMoure and Jamestown, ND until returning to Cando, where he and Shary purchased the lumber yard. In 2013 they sold the business and purchased their retirement home in Apache Junction, AZ. Gary's nine grandchildren completed his life, and he truly enjoyed the times that he was able to spend with each one of them. On February 18, 2016, with family by his side, Gary was called home after a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Shary, his five children, Kari (David) Pittenger, Grenora, ND; Merri Johnson (Jesse Hofstrand), Leeds, ND; Lori (Rodney) Pederson, Hatton, ND; Jon Johnson (Jeni Miner), Grand Forks, ND; JR (Amy) Johnson, Grenora, ND. Nine grandchildren – Daerik, Drew, Joey and Jae Pittenger; Madison and Brodie Pederson; Mikaela Johnson; Bridger and Harper Johnson. Gary is also survived by his aunt, Marie Berg, as well as his aunt and uncle Myrtle (Johnson) and Ben Richardson and many nieces, nephews and cousins; brothers-in-law, Dennis (Dontee) Adams and Glenn (Barbara) Adams, and sisters-in-law Hazel Adams, Jan (Frank) White, and Deanna (Dwight) Syverson.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Wendell & Dodie Adams, brother-in-law Gordon Adams, several aunts and uncles, including his special aunt Margaret (Berg) Bertrand, and his cousin Karen (Johnson) Anderson.