HAROLD JOHNSON, 86, former Plaza, ND, area farmer and cattleman, passed away at his home in Dalton Gardens, Idaho June 20, 2013.

Mervyn Harold (M.H.) Johnson was born on September 23, 1926, in Plaza, ND to Arne and Della (Disserud) Johnson and was raised on the family farm near Tagus and attended school there. Later the family moved back to the Plaza area, where Harold worked on the farm as well as for area neighbors. Harold loved farm life and became accomplished with all things that went along with it, be it plant, animal or mechanical.

In 1947 the family moved to Post Falls, Idaho where they owned a dairy. The family later moved to Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and then Dalton Gardens, Idaho, where Harold helped on the family dairy. In 1950, Harold worked for a contractor on the dismantling of the Farragut Navel Training Station on Lake Pend Oreille. In 1951 Harold went to work for the Ohio Match Saw Mill at Huetter where he ran the edger.

In 1952, he met the love of his life, Bernida Moate of Coeur d'Alene. They were married Aril 27, 1953, at St Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d' Alene. They lived in Coeur d' Alene where his two sons were born.

In 1955, Harold moved back to North Dakota to take over the farm of a widowed neighbor, Mrs. Fanny Pease, where he resumed his life on the land. Harold and Bernida made their home there for the next 36 years, where they raised their family which now included four daughters. In the early years in addition to raising durham wheat, oats and barley in the summer months, Harold would do carpentry or cabinet work for neighbors during the winter. In the 1960's he leased pasture land and began raising stock cattle, eventually specializing in Simmental/Angus-Hereford Crosses. For many years he also owned and operated a dairy and sold the milk to Winger Cheese in Towner, ND. In addition to his farming activities Harold was also the Oslo Township assessor in Mountrail County for many years.

In 1993, Harold and Bernida retired from farming/ranching and built their retirement home on family land in Dalton Gardens, Idaho. He later built a shop where he enjoyed wood working and cabinet making. But most of all, Harold enjoying spending time with his family and friends.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Doris Johnson, brother, Clayton Johnson and daughter, Cindy.

He is survived by his loving wife, Bernida, Dalton Gardens; sons, Mervyn L. Johnson, Coeur d' Alene and Loren (Maggie) Johnson, Hayden Lake, Idaho; daughters, Andrea (Myron) Sanders, Beaverton, Oregon, Sonja Enger (Larry Walker), Coeur d' Alene and Julie (Tim) Moslander, Butte, MT; nine grandchildren and numerous cousins.

Graveside Service: 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 1, 2013 at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.
A funeral mass was held on Tuesday June 25, 2013 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot, ND and Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho are entrusted with arrangements.