Murray K. Johnson

Murray K. Johnson, 95 of Devils Lake formerly of Fort Totten, ND passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake with his loving family at his side. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday, with family members present from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Murray Knute Johnson was born October 12, 1915 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. He was the oldest of five children born to Cornelius “CC”, and Jean (Murray) Johnson. When Murray was twelve, the family moved to Rushville, Nebraska, where Murray’s father had lived prior to immigrating to Canada. Murray graduated from high school in Rushville, and then worked with his father for 4 years on the family farm. In 1938, he entered college at Nebraska State Teacher’s College in Chadron, Nebraska. He played varsity football all four seasons and was a 2005 inductee of Chadron’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated in May, 1942 with a degree in physics. Murray became a citizen of the United States in 1942. He entered the Army in September of 1942, during World War II. He served for forty-one months, primarily in the South Pacific, in the medical corp caring for casualties. He was honorably discharged in January, 1946. On September 4, 1943, prior to going overseas, he was married to Beth Rogers. After his return, Murray and Beth moved to Richland, Washington where he was employed for seven years with The General Electric Corporation at the Hanford Works. In 1953 Beth and Murray purchased the Dakota Trading Post at Fort Totten, N.D., which they operated until 1972. Murray served as Post Master at Fort Totten for 28 years, from 1954 until his retirement in 1982. Murray was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and served as Master of Devils Lake Lodge #21. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed supporting and encouraging his children and grandchildren in athletic and academic pursuits. Murray is survived by his four children: Dr. Richard Johnson, Dr. Roger Johnson and his wife Nancy, all of Devils Lake, Kathryn and her husband Kent Carlson, of Mt. Iron, MN, Robert Johnson and his wife Roberta of Fargo, ND; and former daughter-in-law, Marnie Johnson of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Dr. Katie Johnson, Dr. Sarah (David) Atunah-Jay, Meghan Johnson, Dr. Kristen (Chris) Enget, Justin (Heather) Johnson, Joshua (Tristan) Johnson, Maren Carlson, Erik Carlson, Mandy Johnson and Tyler Johnson; eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Stuart Johnson and sister, Evaline Norman. Murray was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Beth; they died on the same day, 15 years apart; his parents; his brother Bennett Johnson and his sister Mary Sanderson. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Murray Johnson Nursing Scholarship at Lake Region State College, Devils Lake, N.D.