On Saturday morning, October 4, 2014 God called Bessie home. Even though we will really miss her, what a wonderful reunion she must have had greeting family and friends who left before her. Her faith was so strong that she never feared death and instead lived her life to the fullest enjoying every moment of her 88 years.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 11 at 10:00am in the Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home with burial to follow at Tiger Butte Cemetery.

She started her journey on September 25, 1926 when Tom and Pheona Davis welcomed their second daughter into the family in Columbus, MT. She lived in the Billings area until she met the love of her life in Great Falls through her sister Annabelle. On October 1, 1942 she and Cliff eloped to Winnett, MT and were married, thus starting 72 wonderful years together. Four months after they were married, Cliff was called to service in the Air Corps and they spent the next three years traveling throughout the western states.

In 1945 they returned to the home ranch that is located on the Evans-Riceville Road between Stockett and Logging Creek. She spent the next 28 years on the ranch raising their five children and enjoying the community activities with family and friends. Bessie was one of the founding members of the Cascade County Cowbelles, hosted the Mrs. Montana contest at the State Fair, belonged to area Home Demonstration clubs and was involved in the area 4-H clubs.

In 1973 she and Cliff moved into Great Falls where she worked at Longfellow School as a playground aide, in sales for Teleprompter Cable TV and Bob’s Insulation and as a volunteer Pink Lady at Columbus/Benefis Hospital. After retirement she spent the next 25 years wintering in Yuma, AZ, where she met many lifelong friends and played cards at least once or twice a day. She was never one to sit still, keeping busy playing cards and visiting with family and friends.

Bessie is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, Cliff Johnson and her five children: Ed (Joanne) Johnson, Larry (Linda) Johnson, Tera (Steve) Vielleux, Mark (Cheryl) Johnson and Rita (Keith) Schumacher. Grandchildren include Chris, Aaron (Madelene) and Sheri Johnson; Megan (Brett) Hofland, Michelle (Christian) Dietrich, Zach (Molly) Peo and Zane Peo; Josh Vielleux; Beau (Kristen) Johnson and Ashlee Johnson; Amanda (Bobby) Lake, Joe and Justin Schumacher. She was blessed with eleven great–grandchildren and lots of extended family including her special friend and sister-in-law Norma Johnson and her much loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Annabelle and husband Everett Kapptie; brother-in-law Fred Johnson and wife Ann; brother-in-law Walt Johnson; son-in-law Donnie Kohut; grandson, Luke Johnson and great-granddaughter, McKenna Vielleux.

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