Clara Alberta Johnson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Clara Johnson of Battleford, SK on Saturday, June 18, 2011. She was born March 17, 1926 at Bresaylor, SK. She married Vaughan Johnson and farmed in the Wilkie area.

She leaves to mourn her children, Marie (Arnie) Burden and Neil Johnson; sister, Frances Frey; brother, Ervan Anderson; grandchildren: Derek (Monika) Burden, Stacey Burden, Scott (Nicole) Johnson and seven great grandchildren.

The Funeral Service for Clara was held on June 22, 2011 at the Chapel of Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home with Pastor Scott Johnson officiating. Interment took place at the Town of Battleford Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations in Clara's memory may be made to Villa Pascal, 1301-113th Street, North Battleford, S9A 3K1.

Card of Thanks

The family of Clara Johnson would like to thank everyone for your many acts of kindness now and in the past. Thanks to all who sent flowers, food, cards and for all of the phone calls and visits. Thank you to all who shared in honoring her life, your thoughtfulness will never be forgotten. Thank you to the staff at the BUH and special thanks to everyone at the Villa Pascal for their loving care while she was a resident there.

Clara Alberta Johnson – Eulogy

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak

At a funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning…..to the end,

He noted that first came her date of birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth…..

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line was worth.

We’ve gathered here today to celebrate the life of Clara Johnson, a lady very dear to us and to reminisce on how she filled her dash.

Clara Johnson was born at her home in Bresaylor on March 17, 1926. She was the sixth of eleven children born to Albert and Violet Anderson. She received her elementary education at Battlebank School. Rather than continue her education, Clara chose to enter the work force at the young age of fifteen. Whenever Clara received her hard earned money she would send it home to her parents to help feed and clothe her younger siblings.

While working in the Drummond Creek area for Alex Dillabough she met Vaughan, the man of her dreams, when he came there to clean grain. Smitten by the love bug, the two began dating. On October 12, 1946 Clara and Vaughan were married and began their lives together on a farm in the Pan Muir District. It was here that they were blessed with two children, Marie and Neil, who became the center of their world. Life on the farm wasn’t always easy but Clara pitched in and helped in all aspects of farm life, whether it was running errands, driving tractor or milking cows. She was a good wife and mother.

Life on the farm was not all work. Sometimes they would pack up and go visit a friend or family member. The Carlson family looked forward to seeing their vehicle drive in the yard for a fun filled afternoon. Clara was a good sport and would go along with whatever we chose to do, even playing ball in the pasture filled with gopher holes and cow pies. It made it a little harder to catch the ball when one had to watch where they were stepping but we all had a good time. Clara would work her little head off to get the cows milked in time to go to Wilkie to a show. That would be the night that the cows refused to go back in the pasture and wandered around the yard! Another enjoyable activity was to curl up on the bed and enjoy reading a good book. Clara loved to go to dances with Vaughan. She especially liked the two step but at one particular dance Vaughan must not have swung her around enough. We noticed Clara was not on the dance floor or sitting in the hall. We wondered what had happened to her and so we went out to see if we could find her. There she was on the swings having a whale of a time.

When Frances, her sister, had no school nearby Clara welcomed her with open arms to come and stay with her so she could go to Pan Muir School. The two sisters grew very close and remained that way. Clara knew she could count on Frances and Frances knew she could go to her sister any time. They had a great deal of respect for one another.

In 1986 Clara and Vaughan decided to give up farming and bought a house in Battleford and became “town” slickers. Their door was still open to all who came, whether it be for a visit, a bed, a meal or just a listening ear.

Clara enjoyed her new lifestyle. She loved people so now she was able to have more contact with them. If nothing else they could always go to the Co-op. They were sure to meet someone they knew there. It wasn’t hard for her to meet a friend because not only was everyone her friend but also when she met someone she never forgot them. She did not have to travel far to go to Bingo or the Casino in which she found a lot of pleasure. She should have enjoyed it, she usually came home with more money than she went with. Clara spent many hours playing cards with friends and relatives. One of her favorite pastimes was putting jigsaw puzzles together. I am sure that Neil must be a puzzle whiz after all the many hours spent working on a puzzle with his mother.

Clara and Vaughan travelled to visit many of their friends and family in Canada. Clara looked forward to her trips to the United States each year. They travelled to such places as Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, the borders of Mexico and even went as far as Florida to visit relatives. When Vaughan felt the long trips were too much for him that did not deter them from travelling. They just took shorter trips visiting or travelling to various casinos in places such as Regina, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Medicine Hat. Often they would take family members with them. Clara enjoyed the times that Harvey and Frances took them on their trips.

Her greatest joy was to have her family around her. She loved them unconditionally and was delighted with the arrival of each new grandchild and great grandchild. They were all special to her. She looked forward to Wednesdays when she knew that Neil would be over to spend the day with her. Lunch at Vera’s and an afternoon of doing puzzles made her day.

Clara was not a leader and did not strive for attention and fame but one could be sure that if she was involved in anything she would be working in the background. If there was nothing else to do she would be washing dishes. When living at Golden Years Lodge she didn’t hesitate to help others in need. She would even go to the store to pick up groceries for them. She frequently took little care packages to others living there or would check on them when they were ill.

When her health began to deteriorate and she had to move to River Height’s Lodge she went willingly because she knew that she had friends living there who she could spend time with. When she moved to Villa Pascal where she was often in her own little world she still tried to help other wheelchair people get around. While there, she managed to endear herself to many of the compassionate staff members.

Clara was a friend to everyone she met. She made a point of staying in contact with her many friends and relatives. Many were recipients of her phone calls inquiring about their well being.

As a result of Clara’s love and devotion to others, she in turn was loved by her family, relatives and many friends.

When Marie reflects on her mother’s life she realizes how her mother followed in Jesus’ footsteps in regard to loving her neighbor and caring for others. She was a gentle woman who worked to bring love and peace back to many conflicts. She always forgave those who hurt her. She cared for any and all who were in need, whether it be friend, family or neighbor. She was always ready to share her food and home with others. Even when food was not plentiful she always managed to have enough to feed all who came to her door. She nursed and comforted many when they were suffering either emotionally or physically. For many this world is a better place because Clara lived.

So as Clara’s eulogy is read

And her life actions we rehash

She can be proud of things we say

About how SHE spent her dash