Mrs. Arlie Johnson, wife of the late Mr. Kenneth Johnson of Yorkton, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. She was eighty-six years of age. Arlie Faith (nee Dryburgh) Johnson was born, along with her twin sister Edith, on November 28, 1928 in East St. Paul, MB to their parents Esther (nee Backlund) and George Dryburgh. Arlie was a friendly child, always willing to help those in need. These good graces were imparted to her by her parents and grandparents as they kept a huge vegetable garden at their house in Yorkton, SK that they would tend and often leave baskets of vegetables and breads out for those in need within the community. Arlie was an earnest student and graduated in 1944 from Yorkton Collegiate High School. After graduation she worked for a short time at the Hudson's Bay Company, followed by some training at the Yorkton Union Hospital while she worked there. On March 27, 1953 at the Camrose United Church Manse Arlie was united in marriage to the love of her life, Kenneth Gerald Johnson. A short time later the couple moved to Winnipeg where Ken got a job working for a company building steel tower and power lines. That job saw Arlie follow Ken from Winnipeg to Nova Scotia and many more places before settling near Chicago, IL. During this time they expanded their family to include Charles, Scott and Sherrin. Arlie spent several years raising her children and was a very active member of the Eastern Star branches wherever she lived. In 1973 Arlie began working at the Americana Nursing Home in Naperville, IL as a Senior Nursing Aide and stayed there until the family moved back to Yorkton, SK in 1979. Arlie enjoyed a job as a nanny for a few families in town before she began a long stint in helping to raise her grandchildren. She took a few short years of “retirement” before Arlie was blessed with five great-grandchildren, all of whom spent many a day snuggled into Gramsie's arm while she sat in her chair listening to music and teaching them all that she knew about plants, cooking and even football. Arlie was predeceased by twin sons Garry and Gregory in 1959, her father in 1969, her mother in 1987, her loving husband Ken in 2001, her son Charles in 2010. She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life her sister Edith Dryburgh, sister-in-law Myrtle of West St. Paul, sister-in-law Doris of Bluffton, son Scott of Edmonton, daughter Sherrin of Regina, her grandchildren; Rebecca (Brad) of Ottawa, Charlie (Janel) and Carissa (Shawn) of Yorkton and Anthony of Regina, her great-grandchildren; Kenneth, Jonathan, Olivia, Charlise & Rylan, as well as many extended family members and dear friends. A visitation for family and friends was held on Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Pastor Richard Gibson officiating. Tributes and words of remembrance were given by daughter, Sherri and granddaughters, Rebecca and Carissa. Musical selections were ‘Wings of A Dove’, ‘My Angel’ and ‘Amazing Grace’. Interment will take place in the Shellmouth Cemetery at Shellmouth, MB. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials in memory of Arlie may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the charity of one’s choice.
