Everett Johnson, 99, longtime Max area resident and farmer, died Tuesday, January 22, 2013 in a Sioux Falls assisted living center after suffering from the flu.

Everett was born July 17, 1913 in Fargo, North Dakota. A few months later, he was adopted by Isaac and Clarissa Johnson who were homesteading near Benedict. He was raised on the family farm and attended rural schools, graduating from the eighth grade. He attended Velva High School, but returned to the farm before graduating, to allow his younger brother, George to finish school and join the Air Force. Everett's mother died in 1934, and he and his father continued farming alone. When his father went broke during the depression, Everett bought the family farm with his own savings.

Everett was united in marriage to Leona D. Jensen of Coleharbor on October 30, 1943. They farmed throughout the years near Max. He served on local school and township boards and was a founding member of the County Water Board. He was a member of the Benedict Methodist Church, where he actively served as the Sunday School Superintendant for many years. He devoted time to these and many other activities until he and Leona began spending winters in the south starting in 1972. They spent many winters in Mesa, starting in 1977, returning each spring to farm. Leona died in 1985.

A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; he will be greatly missed but never forgotten in the hearts of his loved ones.

Everett is survived by his son, Gordon (Liz Ann) Johnson, Augusta, GA, daughter, Marilyn (Jay) Mitchell, Harrisburg, SD; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Leona and his daughter, Beverly (1971).

Funeral service : Monday, January 28, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in Faith United Methodist Church, Minot.
Interment: Benedict Methodist Cemetery later in the spring.
Visitation: Sunday from noon-5pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Dow Rummel Care Center in Sioux Falls, SD or the WCTU of North Dakota.