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With sadness, the family of the late Reuben Johnson, beloved husband of the late Joyce Johnson, announce his peaceful passing at the Norquay Health Centre on June 10, 2023, at the age of 95 years.
Reuben Oscar Johnson was born on May 5, 1928, on the family farm south of Hyas, SK. He was the eldest child of Oscar and Emma (Lindgren) Johnson. Reuben attended grade school at the Elbow Lake country school. He skipped grade one and left school after grade 8 at the age of 14 when his dad’s health declined and Reuben was needed to take over the farm.
Reuben’s met his loving wife, Joyce Smith of Pelly, SK in 1944. That summer, he and some of his friends went to Crystal Lake Bible Camp and that’s where he met Joyce – or ‘Doucy’ as he affectionally called her – and their relationship grew from there. In 1949, he proposed, and they were married on October 4, 1950. After that, they were work mates on the farm while Joyce also worked as a nurse at the hospital.
Rueben always loved the challenge of the farm, often saying that he could not have done it without the help of his uncle, George Johnson. Horses were still a part of farming when he started. In 1952, Reuben and Joyce bought a new JD AR tractor, which was around for a long time. Reuben’s dream was to one day have a dairy operation and that started out with shipping cream to make the farm viable. In 1961, he built a new barn with a milk house attached which enabled them to scale up the dairy production and operations. The cream shipping continued until 1973, when his son David and wife Colleen came back to the farm to become partners in the operation. At that time, the farm started shipping fluid milk which helped money wise and Reuben had attained his dream. In 1981, the family faced a big decision – invest and grow or get out of dairy production. David reflected that “all of us were really getting tired of getting slapped in the face with those dirty tails and the demands of running a dairy” so it was decided to put out a fleece to God and advertise the cows for sale. The cows were gone in two days.
The family continued to work as a farm partnership until 1998, when Reuben and Joyce moved into Norquay. Their grandsons were coming back to the farm, and they wanted to help make the transition happen. Reuben would still help on the farm but mostly just to drive something. Instead of steering his old horses, he now got to drive tractors and combines with just a push a button. It was quite a transition over time to be part of.
Reuben loved construction and wood working. He built two houses on the farm, the barn, a shop, car garage, grain bins and numerous other projects. He continued that passion in Norquay with crafts and small furniture. In February 2021, Reuben and Joyce moved into the Bentley Assisted Living Complex in Yorkton, where he did his best to get involved in activities and meet new people. He never lost interest in the farm right to the last of his days. He knew every field and he was Tween Lakes Farm’s biggest cheerleader.
Reuben’s faith journey was no doubt the most important part of his life. His love of Joyce and his family a close second. He made a commitment to Jesus at an early age. He knew he was far from perfect but was forgiven and lived his life that way. He held many positions in the Hyas Covenant Church (now Norquay Covenant Church). He taught teenagers and adults in Sunday school and he and Joyce held home bible studies for many years. His constant prayers for his family and friends will be deeply missed. He carried the heritage started by his grandfather A.P. Johnson as good as anyone could. His biggest heartbreak in life was for those who didn’t put their trust in and follow Jesus.
Reuben was predeceased by his wife, Joyce; sons, Edward and Brian; parents, Oscar and Emma Johnson and in-laws, Frank and Beatrice Smith; brother, Ivan (Virginia); sister, Ilene (Murray) Dunlop; brother-in-law, Richard Liebrecht; in-laws, Bob and Diane Smith, Reg (Margaret) Smith, May and Einar Anderson, Edna and Bill Linderholm, Edna’s second husband, Erling Raabel, and Renee and Lawrence Johnson.
Reuben is survived by son, David (Colleen); grandsons: Andy (Jaime), Tim (Melissa), and Dan (Twyla); great grandchildren: Emma (Job), Salem, Hanan, Micah, Kobe, Summer, Rowyn, and Jacob; and sister, Margaret (Art) Smith, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 19, 2023, from the Hyas Covenant Church Cemetery, south of Hyas, SK. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 19, 2023, from the Norquay Covenant Church, Norquay, SK, with Pastor Frankie Kim officiating. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Norquay Covenant Church, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Reuben Johnson.
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2023
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan
death notice Reuben Johnson 2023
obituaries notice Reuben Johnson 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Reuben Johnson 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
