Gordon "Gordie" Lester Johnson, 71, 1852-16th St. SW, Lot No. 26, Minot, died Tuesday, July 28, 2009, in his home.

Gordon was born May 29, 1938, to Lester and Palma (Hoiland) Johnson in Minot. He was raised on the family farm east of Glenburn, where he attended public school. Gordon was confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Deering.

Gordon was once married to Judy Long. This union was blessed with two sons, Wayne and Dean. As a young man he gained employment as a truck driver, hauling gravel during the construction of Minot Air Force Base. Gordon also hauled cattle and joined his father and brother, Pete, custom combining in the south for a time. Gordon also drove in the Minot area for Ivan Bohl, Morelli's Distributing and Northern Bottling Co. for a number of years.

Gordon married Bernice (Sundquist) Tosseth in January 1976. They made their home in Bismarck. Gordon joined the 49ers Operators Union and began operating heavy equipment at all of the coal and power plants located near Beulah and Hazen. He continued to follow the union work to Minneapolis for a short time before returning to Minot. He drove for Schatz Truck Stop, Farmers Union Elevator and until the time of his death was driving for A.H. Neuman of Clifford.

He enjoyed camping at Mouse River Park and was an avid NASCAR and World of Outlaws fan. Gordon once drove race cars and was a longtime member of the Nodak Speedway of Minot. Deer hunting with his sons and grandsons was a staple of every fall season in North Dakota. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Minot. Gordon will be deeply missed by all who shared in his life.

Loving family includes: Wife, Bernice Johnson, Minot; sons, Wayne (DeAnna) Johnson, Bottineau, and Dean (Jean) Johnson, Glenburn; grandchildren, Tyler and Kirby Johnson, Blake and Wyatt Johnson, Grace and Olivia Johnson and Brooke Schroeder; brother, Erling "Pete" (Donna) Johnson, Glenburn; brother-in-law, Hank Sundquist of Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; stepdaughter, Renae Schroeder; stepson, Kent Schroeder; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Edith Sundquist; and brother-in-law, Buster Sundquist.

Funeral: Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at 2 p.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.

Visitation: Today, July 31, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).