Christopher Jerome Johnson

Christopher J. “Chris” Johnson, Shungmanitu Tanka (Big Wolf) 5l, ND died on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. A Wake for Chris will be held at St. Michael’s Recreation Center, St. Michael, ND on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial for Chris will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Fr. Brian Moen and Fr. Charles Leute O.P. will concelebrate and burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. The procession to St. Michael’s Recreation Center will leave from Wal-Mart on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Serving as casket bearers are Dallas Delorme, Roger Feather, Rich Dubois, Kevin Mindt, Stanley Jetty, and Billy Joe Foote. Honorary Bearers are Raymond (Faye) Jetty, Alice (Dallas) Dogskin, Steve Jetty, Mary Lou (Grover) Fallis, Janice (Keith) Idland, Jeanette and Joseph Lawrence, Roger (Amanda) Jetty, Daniel Jetty, Tommy (Debbie) Jetty, Valerie Larson, Bonnie Nelson, Tony Eback, Solomon Leftbear, Bill Anderson, Phillip Delorme, Darwin Brown, Demus McDonald, Roger Yankton, Violet & Calvin Smith and family, Corrine Brown and family, Nathan Jones, Sheila Thompson and Diane Jackson, Red Spirit Band members, casino buddies and the staff at Altru Hospital ER in Devils Lake. Music will be provided by Tony & Vina McDonald, Daniel “Speedy” Delorme and local drum groups. Christopher Jerome Johnson was born October 31, 1957 at Devils Lake, ND to Jerome and Stella (Redday) Johnson. When he was about 1 year old, Chris went to live with Mr.& Mrs. Fred Jetty who welcomed Chris into their family and was given the gifts of love, kindness and guidance that stayed with him for the remainder of his life. Chris attended elementary school at the Little Flower School in St. Michael and graduated from Fort Totten High School in 1976. Chris loved music, going to the movies, basketball, traveling, road trips with grandchildren, swimming, animals (especially Lucille his cat), playing at the casino and raising cane with anyone and everyone. He had a special gift to be friends with anyone and everyone he met. Chris would gladly help anyone when they were down on their luck. Chris had a special relationship with the love of his life and companion Yvonne. They were best friends through and through and Chris’s love for her had no words. He was very close to his grandchildren; he met them everyday after school and would let them do anything their imaginations wanted. Chris will be greatly missed by all who’s lives were touched by his words, actions and love. Chris is survived by the love of his life, Yvonne Thompson of Tokio, ND; Sons, Roland Aaron Johnson of Bismarck, ND; Jason (Collette) Thompson of Warwick, ND; Sisters, Patti (Merle) Johnson of Green Bay, WI; Marlis Vivier, Fort Totten, ND; Marlene (Grayden) Pederson of Grand Forks, ND; Brother, Roland (Julie) Johnson of Tokio, ND; Grandchildren, Wyatt Jetty, Tayia Thompson, Neela Jae Thompson and Olivia Cavanaugh; Foster sisters, Renita Deloreme, Julie King, Sister Inez Jetty, Marianne McCullock and Vivian Borseth; Foster brothers, Jacob Abraham and Alfred Jetty; Godchildren, Farrah Trottier, Candice Smith and many other relatives. Chris was preceded in death by parents, Jerome & Stella (Redday) Johnson; foster parents, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Jetty; maternal grandparents, Joshua and Christine Redday; sister, Colleen Johnson Hill; nephew, Casey Smith; foster brothers, Kenneth Abraham and Oliver Jetty; Foster sisters, Jean Mudgett, Eleanor Langstaff and Celia Ives; best friend, Elmer White, Jr.