Norman Johnson

    The family of Mr. Norman Johnson, beloved spouse of Pat Formo, of Ketchen and formerly of the Okla area. Norman’s family is deeply saddened that he passed away April 8, 2023, in his home in Ketchen. He was 73 years of age.

    Norman was born April 26, 1949, in Preeceville to Bessie and George Johnson. He was raised on his parent’s farm near the community of Okla.  Norman was home schooled for grade 1 by his mom, then attended Lodi, Okla and Kelvington Schools. He worked at a farm for the fall after graduating high school and then worked at a shop in Preeceville where he took his journeyman Auto-Body technician program and advanced to shop foreman. In 1980, Norman and Dallas Fairburn, his neighbour and friend, decided to start their own business, Ketchen Auto-body. The shop was a great success and was an important part of Norman’s life for over 40 years.

   Norman, with his former spouse Karen, had four children: Ashley, Jason, Marsha and Loralie. He was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was proud to teach his kids and grandkids how to hunt, fish, firearm safety, drive a car, change a tire, fix various parts of a car, grow a garden and about wildlife conservation. He often reflected on those days and looked forward to continuing to teach the next generation. 

   Norman met Pat Formo through the singles dances in 2006 and shortly after Pat joined Norman at his home in Ketchen where they enjoyed his final years. They enjoyed dancing, gardening vegetables, growing flowers, picking berries, attending local events and church and spending time with their friends, children, and grandchildren.

   Norman was a community builder, leading the firearm safety program in Preeceville for nearly 40 years, an active member in the Preeceville Wildlife Federation as well as the provincial organization, member of the Kelsey Ecological Society, was the president of the singles dances in the area and a member of the Lutheran Church. He was proud to organize family gatherings ranging from small birthday parties in his garage to large family reunions of up to 300 people at Lady Lake.

   He enjoyed many hobbies including hunting, fishing, berry picking, watching, and learning about wildlife and birds, fixing cars, brewing beer and fermenting wine. His gardening skills were impressive producing produce for not just his home but for kids, grandkids, nieces & nephews. 

   In November of 2022, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor was operable. The surgery, in December of 2022, was a success but he did have a mild stroke that resulted in some lost mobility. He spent 3 months at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre in Regina working to be able to be return to his home with Pat. He was an optimistic patient and through his encouragement of other patients he made many friends of the staff and other patients. He enjoyed catching up with many friends and family members during his time in care. He was discharged on April 6th and happily made it home to Ketchen on April 7th, Good Friday. He happily woke up to see the morning sun light in his home one last time with Pat at his side. He suddenly passed away a couple hours later with respiratory distress with Marsha and Pat by his side.

   Norman is survived by his spouse Pat Formo; children, Ashley (Tracy), Jason (Margo), Marsha (Ryan) & Loralie (Greg); his grandchildren, Lexi (Brendan), Jae-Anna (Matt), Justin (Nakita), Ethan, Isabelle, Otto & Ivan; his great-grandchildren, Ava & Asher; his step-children, Tim, Duane (Margaret) and Ryan (Athena); step-grandchildren, Lindsay (Eddie, Jesse & Lily), Liam, Britta (Jamie & Cecilia) and Courtney; his siblings, Harold (Dianne), Dorothy (Rae), Phyllis (Leonard) and Carolyn (Gary) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Norman was predeceased by his parents George and Bessie Johnson. Norman will be missed and remembered by the many lives he touched.

    A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Church in Preeceville, Saskatchewan with Pastor Hein Bertram officiating. Pianist, Barb Melsness, led the congregation in singing the hymns ‘Jesus Loves Me’, ‘In the Garden’, ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘Amazing Grace’, and ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. Tributes and Words of Remembrance were shared by Norman’s daughters, Marsha Hordos and Loralie Johnson.  Justin Johnson, Bradley Johnson, Cameron Johnson, Fred Welder, Tim Formo, and Brett Spray served as casket bearers. Honourary casket bearers were Dallas Fairburn, Asher Campbell, Eugene Panasiewich, Lexi Johnson, Jae-Anna Johnson, Isabelle Hordos, Otto Amundsen, Ivan Amundsen, and Ava Campbell. Interment took place in the Okla Community Cemetery with Ashley and and Jason Johnson serving as urn bearers.

    The family of the late Norman Johnson wish to extend their thanks to all who helped and for the support given at their time of the loss of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  Thank you to Dr Kumar and the medical staff at the Regina General Hospital and Wascana Rehabilitation Centre who attended and treated Norman with dignity.  We would also like to thank the St. John’s Lutheran Church ladies auxiliary for providing lunch and Paster Hein Bertram for officiating at the funeral.  Thank you to all who stopped by with food and a kind heart. We were comforted and thankful to those who were able to join for his service and contributed to causes near to Norman’s heart.

    Memorials in memory of Norman may be made to Preeceville Wildlife Club (Box 711 Preeceville, SK S0A 3B0) or to The Hospitals of Regina Foundation for the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre (1874 Scarth St, Regina, SK S4P 4B3) as gifts of remembrance.