Dennis Johnson

Dennis Alfred Johnson, age 78, passed away peacefully in his home on March 12, 2024. He was born November 26, 1945 to Alfred and Dorothy (Knutson) Johnson at home in Brinsmade, ND. He grew up on a farm outside of Leeds and graduated from Leeds High School in 1963. Dennis met Shirley Peiler during high school and they married on November 29, 1963 at North Prairie Lutheran Church. They celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary along with their children last fall.  

Dennis graduated from UND and worked as a high school business teacher, first in Dickinson, ND and later moving to Grafton, ND where he led the DECA club. In 1975, he took a job as a juvenile probation officer in Cavalier, ND where he covered Cavalier, Pembina and Walsh counties. His work had a positive influence on many teens.

Dennis and Shirley made their home in Cavalier, where they raised their three daughters. He was a fan of all sports and loved watching his girls and grandkids participate in their activities, making it a priority to attend as many events as he could. He was an “original” girl dad who put together and coached a girls softball team for his girls and their friends. He also led confirmation for many years at United Lutheran Church.

After 32 years, he retired from the State of ND and he and Shirley decided to become snowbirds. They found a second home in Viewpoint Resort in Mesa, AZ. There they found plenty of both golf and good friends.

Dennis had many hobbies. He was an avid reader, and as his eye sight deteriorated, due to macular degeneration, he found audio books and consumed a countless number of them. He enjoyed bowling, tinkering in his garage, building things, spending summer weekends at Roy Lake, being captain of the pontoon, fishing, hunting, and, above all, doing anything with his grandkids. After his kids left home, Dennis and Shirley enjoyed traveling. Their trips included Hawaii, Alaska, cruises and many bus trips across the United States. One day he tried golf…and was hooked! From then on, he took his clubs everywhere he went and golfed as many courses as possible. During his first year in ViewPoint, he and a friend found a need for a more relaxed golf league where friends could get together and enjoy a round of golf. They created the Bummers league which quickly became very popular. Dennis found great enjoyment in running the league and interacting with all the golfers. His friends were an important part of his life and he enjoyed hunting and fishing trips, golf leagues, happy hours and hosting get-togethers. His Cavalier golf buddies were especially dear to him.

Dennis loved his grandchildren and was very proud of them. He was very close to them all and he and Shirley loved visiting with them and talking about their lives. Dennis’ great grandchildren were especially precious to him. The joy he got from playing with them was undeniable.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Cheryl (Ken) Kresien of Roy Lake, MN, Christi (Kirk) Carlson of Horace, ND, and Nancy (Tim) Holub of Tabor, MN; grandchildren, Eric (Stephanie) Kresien, Colton (Starlee) Holub, Dillon (Nicole) Bachand, Alec Kresien, Courtney (Zach) Dent, Zach Carlson and Nick Carlson; great grandchildren, Olivia, Deklan, Everlee, Charlotte (Charlie) and Harper.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Dorothy, sister Evadean Baglien and brother Wayne Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to:

Eye-Link North Dakota (this organization provided Dennis with many tools as he lost vision including magnifier readers and other vision resources)- https://nd.eye-link.org/, P.O. Box 7535,
  Fargo, ND, 58106

United Lutheran Church (Endowment Fund or Wednesday School Fund), 104 Bjornson Drive, Cavalier, ND 58220

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the time of services.