Arlan E. Johnson, age 90 of Washburn, ND, died Friday, June 8th, 2012 at St. Gabriel's Benedictine Community in Bismarck.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 12th at St. Edwin's Catholic Church in Washburn with Rev. Frank J. Schuster as celebrant. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Monday at the church. Inurnment will be in the Riverview Cemetery in Washburn with military rites provided by the American Legion Victor B. Wallin Post 12.

Arlan "Uncle George" was born April 20, 1922 in Washburn, the fourth of five boys born to Theodore and Magna Johnson. He was educated in a rural school north of Washburn and grew up assisting on the family farm. Arlan enlisted in the U. S. Army on Dec. 15, 1944, experiencing action in the Philippines in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre of World War II. He received an honorable discharge on Nov. 19, 1946. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal, among others.

After the war, he engaged in the occupation of trucking for a time, eventually undertaking the operation of the family farm also known as Hilltop Farms. He married Audrey Krebsbach on April 24, 1945 in Washburn and the couple enjoyed a marriage of 57 years, with Audrey passing on Dec. 29, 2002. Together they successfully maintained the farming operation until they moved into Washburn in 1980. Arlan continued to farm on a part time basis for a time.

Arlan was devoted to his family throughout his life, faithfully attending to the needs of his widowed mother, while spending many wonderful moments with his brothers and their families. He also was responsive to the calls for assistance of others in the Washburn community. Having no children of their own, Arlan and Audrey were generous and caring to the many nieces and nephews on both sides of their families. It has been said, "If it had not been for Uncle Arlan and Aunt Audrey, we wouldn't have had a Christmas!" Arlan enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle, and he was quick with his wit and playing practical jokes on others in his quiet, unassuming manner.

Arlan was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post #12 of Washburn and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1326 of Bismarck. Raised a Lutheran, Arlan converted to Catholicism and became a dedicated, faithful member of St. Edwin's Catholic Church in Washburn.

Arlan is survived by the Johnson nieces & nephews, Darwin (Andrea) Johnson of Soldotna, AK, Carol (Paul) McMahon of Burlington, WI, Karen (David) Knoop of Bismarck, Duane (Laurie) Johnson of Bismarck, Gloria (Natch) Doll of Mandan, Reed Johnson of Washburn, & Jeff Johnson of Astoria, OR; Sisters-in-law, Florence "Flossie" (Marvin) Johnson of Sheridan WY, Jackie Dzidek of Salem OR, & Violet (Dale) Vogel of Tonika, IL; as well as 45 nieces and nephews and their respective families on the Krebsbach side. In addition to his devoted family and friends, Arlan is also grateful for the care and assistance given to him in recent years by his neighbors, Jack and Diane Zent, Martin and Carol Boganowski, Morris Nelson, & the Tom Boysun family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his four brothers, Vernon, Eldred, Everett (Mildred) and Ervin (Ruby), sister and brother-in-laws, Rose Behles (Nick), Earl Krebsbach (Montana), Alma Johnson (L.J. "Chuck"), Ione Vetter (Otto), Elda Parks (Paul), Joe Krebsbach, LeRoy Krebsbach and a number of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers all memorials to the St Edwin's Catholic Church and their new sound system fund.