Alverne Russell Johnson

Alverne Russell Johnson, 96, of Great Falls, died of natural causes on July 21, 2019, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls. Alverne Russell Johnson, son of Hans C.E. and Lizzie (Braastad) Johnson was born Nov. 11, 1922, in Beresford, South Dakota. He was the oldest of two children, and raised in the Beresford, SD vicinity, graduating from Beresford High School in May of 1941. On August 19, 1951, he was married to Athleen LaVonne Sanford in Beresford, South Dakota. Two children were born to this union, Russell and Jereice. Alverne and Athleen lived in the Beresford area, farming until 1956. They moved to Great Falls at that time, and he went to work for Hansen’s All Star Dairy. Athleen became very ill and died in 1963, leaving Alverne with two young children. He raised them in Great Falls. On November 10, 1974, Alverne married Peggy E. Williams in Great Falls. Alverne continued his employment as Plant Foreman at Hansen’s All Star Dairy until 1983, when he retired. Following his retirement, he worked as a crossing guard for the Great Falls Public Schools for 10 years. Alverne and Peggy also worked as campground hosts at various campgrounds near West Yellowstoneuntil 2002. They continued to live in Great Falls for the remainder of their lives. Alverne enjoyed family, fishing, hunting, camping, gardening, woodworking and travel. Alverne is survived by his wife, Peggy of Great Falls, who sadly only survived him by 3 days; son, Russell Johnson of Beresford, SD and daughter, Jereice (Patrick) Devine of Bozeman; 5 grandchildren, Jason Johnson of Beresford, SD, Athleen (Cassidy) Niehoff of Sioux Falls, SD, Justin (Miranda) Johnson of Beresford, SD, Karen Devine (Kyle Halter) of Bozeman, and Thomas Devine also of Bozeman. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kirsten, and Camden Niehoff all of Sioux Falls, SD, Jaiden, Wyatt, and Rayna Johnson all of Beresford, SD; 2 great-great grandchildren, Kolten Constant and RaeLynn Dokken-Ellis both of Sioux Falls, SD; and nephews, Dwight and David Sundstrom both of Beresford, SD. Alverne was preceded in death by his parents; wife Athleen; and sister, Eileen (Wesley) Sundstrom. There are no services planned. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.