Gordon "Gordie" Lester Johnson, 71, 1852 16th St. SW Lot #26, Minot, died Tuesday, July 28, 2009, in his home.

Gordon was born May 29, 1938 to Lester and Palma (Hoiland) Johnson in Minot, ND. He was raised on the family farm east of Glenburn, where he attended public school. Gordon was confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Deering, ND.

Gordon was once married to Judy Long. This union was blessed with two sons, Wayne and Dean. As a young man he gained employment as a truck driver, hauling gravel during the construction of the Minot Air Force Base. Gordon also hauled cattle and joined his father and brother, Pete custom combining in the south for a time. Gordon began driving in the Minot area for Ivan Bohl, Morelli's Distributing and Northern Bottling Company for a number of years.

Gordon married Bernice (Sundquist) Tosseth in January 1976. They made their home in Bismarck. Gordon joined the 49ers Operator's Union and began operating heavy equipment at all of the coal and power plants located near Beulah and Hazen, ND. He continued to follow the union work to Minneapolis for a short time before returning to Minot. He drove for Schatz Truck Stop, Farmer's Union Elevator and until the time of his death was driving for A.H. Neuman of Clifford, ND.

He enjoyed camping at Mouse River Park and was an avid NASCAR and World of Outlaws fan. Gordon once drove race cars and was a long time member of the Nodak Speedway of Minot. Deer hunting with his sons and grandson's was a staple of every fall season in ND. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Minot. Gordon will be deeply missed by all who shared in his life.

Loving family includes: Wife, Bernice Johnson, Minot; Sons: Wayne (DeAnna) Johnson, Bottineau, ND and Dean (Jean) Johnson, Glenburn; Grandchildren: Tyler and Kirby Johnson, Blake and Wyatt Johnson, Grace and Olivia Johnson and Brooke Schroeder; Brother: Erling "Pete" (Donna) Johnson, Glenburn, ND; Brother-in-law: Hank Sundquist of Arizona and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, step-daughter, Renae Schroeder, step-son, Kent Schroeder, father and mother-in-law, Henry and Edith Sundquist and brother-in-law, Buster Sundquist.

Funeral: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 1, 2009, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck, ND.
Visitation: Friday, July 31, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.