Bryce Arle Johnson

Bryce Arle Johnson went to be with his Lord and Savior on Jan. 21, 2012. Born Oct. 21, 1937, Bryce was the second born son of Arle (Swede) and Bessie Mallory Johnson of Polson. He and his brother Elliot grew up on the south shore of Flathead Lake where they fished, hunted, took summer swims and went winter ice skating.

Bryce graduated from Polson High School in 1955. He attended the University of Montana before he landed his dream job working in the accounting office for the Great Northern Railroad in Whitefish. He married Ardith Cox June 5, 1965, and the two moved around the state of Montana where he had an enjoyable and challenging career with Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad. The couple raised two sons, Corey and David, while they lived in Kalispell, Whitefish, Missoula, Billings and Havre. After Bryce retired in 1994, he eventually returned to his hometown of Polson. Bryce enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards, bowling, golfing and traveling around the United States to view God’s amazing creation. He was a tremendous husband, encouraging father, loving grandfather and a faithful servant in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.

Bryce lived with Type I Diabetes for 58 years and courageously endured numerous health problems. Over the last nine months, Bryce battled cancer. Through all of this, Bryce gave glory to God for being able to live so many years surrounded by such a supportive and loving family.

Bryce was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Ardith, his son David Johnson of Spokane, his son Corey Johnson, daughter-in-law Audrey, and grandsons, Jacob and Isaac of Kalispell, his brother Elliot (Hattie) Johnson of Polson, his step-mother, Marie Johnson of Polson, Randy and Julia, his children from a previous marriage, as well as numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Services for Bryce will be held Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, followed by a burial service at Polson’s Lake View Cemetery, and a luncheon in the fellowship hall of the church. The family suggested memorials to the donor’s local food bank, or to Bryce’s cancer support group: Cheerful Heart, Inc. P. O. Box 688, Polson, MT 59860.

Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for the Johnson family. Messages of condolences may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.