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Leslie “Les” Ernest Johnson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leslie “Les” Ernest Johnson (age 92) on Friday, March 11th, 2022, at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Les is survived by his wife Helen (Gaynor), his beloved partner of 69 years; children Maureen (David) Ewasiuk, Kathy (Gary) DeWulf, Kevin (Sherry) Johnson, Ann (Lloyd) Rodgers, Heather (Paula) Johnson, and Linda (Vernon) Gray; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.  

Les was born on June 27th, 1929 in Lafleche, Saskatchewan, the youngest child of Lucy May Gibbs and Charles Johnson.  Les is survived by sister Joyce Amos, and he is predeceased by sister Kathleen (Harold) Seebach; brothers Herb (Lorraine) Johnson, Charles “Chuck” (Irene) Johnson, and brother-in-law Keith Amos.

Les was raised on North-View Farm north of Melaval during the depression years.  With the start of WWII, and with his father away for extended periods of time as an MLA in the Saskatchewan legislature, Les remained home to work the family farm and had a great deal of responsibility from a young age.  After obtaining his driver’s license at the age of 14, Les never looked back.  Riding motorcycles, fast snowmobiles, and piloting his boats were lifelong passions.  

Following school, once harvests were completed, for a few years Les left the farm during the winter months and took up jobs in carpentry building elevators, road building, lumber mill work, cutting pulp lumber, and painting in government dry docks from Ontario to Victoria, BC.  

In 1948, Les took a 5-course program consisting of the practical application of mechanics, carpentry, welding, plumbing, electrical and agrology, courses that would serve him well over the course of his life operating a grain farm and cattle operation.  There was nothing he couldn’t repair, build or fabricate when the need arose (except the T.V. – that had to go to Assiniboia!).

Following two winters courting Helen Gaynor in Hamilton, Ontario, on October 27th, 1952, Les and Helen married in the Palmer Roman Catholic Church and they moved to North-View Farm for one winter before moving two miles away to the Gaynor homestead, where they raised their family of six children while Les farmed both the homesteads land.  As with most farmers in the crop rotation era, acres were limited and families were large but through love and hard work they endured.  In addition to grain farming, Les raised cattle and Les and Helen drove school bus for 34 years.  Les took great pride in driving the neighborhood children, many of whom were the children of friends, throughout their school years.  Sundays at Thomson Lake swimming, and later boating and water skiing, provided cherished memories until Les hung up the water skis at 52 years of age to concentrate on operating the boat for his next generation of water skiing enthusiasts.   

Once their children left home and later when they retired to Moose Jaw in 1997, Les and Helen loved their winters in Yuma, Arizona and time spent with their large social circle of square dance friends as they attended square dances across southern Saskatchewan.  Winter trips to Victoria, B.C. with Les’s siblings were special.  Snowmobile trips to Yellowstone and Les’s day snowmobile trips to Moose Jaw squeezed in between school bus runs were legendary.  Driving trips to Alaska, across the U.S. and Canada fueled Les’s love of driving and adventure.  

Retirement in Moose Jaw expanded Les and Helen’s social circle as they continued to dance, travel and play cards with friends.  Les was able to enjoy curling and he made many great new friends.  As a devout Catholic, Les was a proud member and dedicated servant to both the Gravelbourg and Moose Jaw Knights of Columbus.   

In his later years, Les was an avid puzzler, including both jigsaw and intricate 3D mechanical puzzles, and Architecture series Lego building while listening to his much loved classic country music.

In honour of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and role model to us all, Les has our greatest respect for a life well lived.  

Special thanks to the Medicine Ward nursing staff, Emergency Room staff, EMT services, Shelley (Blood Transfusion Unit), and especially Dr. K. Brabant for their wonderful care and compassion. 

A Funeral Service to honour Leslie will be held on Tuesday, March 15th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Deacon Lamont Dyck will officiate and interment will take place at a later date at Rosedale Cemetery.  Those not able to attend are invited to view the service virtually by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/. In lieu of flowers, donations in Les’s name may be made to Canadian Blood Services, 2571 Broad Street, Regina, SK S4P 4H6 (www.blood.ca) and/or please consider becoming a blood donor.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Andrew Pratt Funeral Director 306-693-4550

14 Comments

  1. Pam Dawson
    Pam Dawson on March 14, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    The Thompson family wishes to send our deepest condolences to you all.
    We will miss our closest neighbor and dear friend of so many years. We share your fond memories of Les’s enthusiasm for life and the laughter that we shared over the many years.
    May those memories provide comfort to you all .
    Adele, Pam, Brian and Garth

    Reply
  2. Chris and Don Greer
    Chris and Don Greer on March 14, 2022 at 5:55 pm

    Our sincerest condolences for the family at this time. You have our deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time.
    Deepest sympathies.

    Reply
  3. Joanne Girardin
    Joanne Girardin on March 14, 2022 at 6:36 pm

    Hello to the whole Johnson family from the Pinsonneault family. Great neighbors and the very very best bus drivers. We have great memories and loved you all.

    Reply
  4. Chris
    Chris on March 15, 2022 at 8:44 am

    Deepest condolences to your family Linda. From the narrative above it is clear there will be many, many great memories of your dad to both celebrate his life and bring comfort to you knowing he is part of who you are.

    Reply
  5. Helene (Joe) taylor
    Helene (Joe) taylor on March 15, 2022 at 8:50 am

    While there’s no way to feel your pain, we do feel your loss.
    Peace and love to you and your family during this sorrowful time.

    We are thinking of you. <3

    Reply
  6. Charlotte and Darrell Tremblay
    Charlotte and Darrell Tremblay on March 15, 2022 at 9:14 am

    Our Deepest sympathy to Johnson Family In the loss of someone so special in your life
    Words are not enough to ease the deep sorrow

    Reply
  7. John Taylor
    John Taylor on March 15, 2022 at 9:27 am

    Sincerest condolences to the extended family during this time, enjoy the memories you have had with Les

    The John and Patti Taylor, Ottawa Ontario

    Reply
  8. Louis Brousseau
    Louis Brousseau on March 15, 2022 at 9:32 am

    To Linda and the Johnson Family, Sincere condolences, wishing you strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

    Reply
  9. Glenda Hubbard
    Glenda Hubbard on March 15, 2022 at 9:41 am

    I am very sorry to hear about your loss of someone so vibrant and special. My sympathies to all your family.

    Reply
  10. Barb & Charlie Arams
    Barb & Charlie Arams on March 15, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    We are sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our condolences to all the families.

    Reply
  11. Lane & Valerie Wright
    Lane & Valerie Wright on March 16, 2022 at 9:57 am

    Our condolences to you Helen and family.
    We fondly remember square dancing with both of you.

    Reply
  12. Kevin and Anna Karmark
    Kevin and Anna Karmark on March 16, 2022 at 4:31 pm

    Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Kevin, I see now where your need for speed comes from

    Reply
  13. Brett and Linda Klevgaard
    Brett and Linda Klevgaard on March 18, 2022 at 10:03 pm

    Our heartfelt sympathy to the Johnson family. Les was a wonderful man and we know you will miss him so very much.

    Reply
    • Susan Gardner
      Susan Gardner on March 21, 2022 at 5:35 pm

      Les and I shared a few quiet laughs together over the last two years. He will be lovingly remembered by so many.

      Reply

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268 Mulberry Lane, Moose Jaw,  Saskatchewan, S6J 1N1

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