Dennis M. Johnson, 83

Dennis M. Johnson, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and dear friend, continued his journey March 23, 2021, departing the town he raised his family in, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Dennis was born in 1937 in Cando, N.D., into a farming family and community, and had many adventures and stories from this experience. His family moved to Montana, where he graduated from Wolf Point High School. Following high school he trained in Minneapolis as a licensed air traffic controller, but returned to Wolf Point and KVCK radio as program director.

Dennis married the love of his life, Ann. He loved her dearly and completely and cherished the life they built together. They welcomed their daughter, Stephanie, into the family, which added to the cherished loves of his life. Dennis and Ann moved their family to Coeur d’Alene, where Dennis worked at KVNI Radio as a program director for many years. Dennis and Ann welcomed their son, Bryon, soon after and moved into their home in Dalton Gardens.

After many years Dennis retired from radio and acquired his pilot’s license successfully. This love for all things aviation directed him to airframe and powerplant schooling at Spokane Community College, where he received his certifications for aircraft repair and maintenance. After receiving his certifications, he was asked to work in the tool department at the College. Following work at the College, he worked for Louisiana Pacific in the flight department at the Coeur d’Alene Airport.

Dennis was Dennis every day. He loved people and people loved him. Dennis had many friends and cherished each relationship he had. He especially loved his family with all he had, every single day. He enjoyed horses, hunting and fishing, camping, dogs, music, and had a great love of airplanes and flying, because he got to share these experiences with people he cared about.

He was, and is forever, a loving, supportive, dependable, reliable, hardworking and honest man who loved life and loved to laugh. He loved others and was loved by many. His most blessed love is his wife, Ann. He loves her for everything she is and adored her for 57 blessed years.

He knew the Lord and is in His loving arms now, whole and without pain. He drew strength from many Bible verses, including Psalms 34:18 “The Lord is close to the broken hearted. He rescues those whose spirit is crushed.”

He was preceded in death by his mother, Bertina; father, Harry; brother, Raymond; sister, Carol; sister-in-law, Carol; nephews, John and Brent; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved friends.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; daughter, Stephanie; son, Bryon (Wendy); granddaughter, Becky Lafferty; brother, David; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Carolyn and Jack Shields; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Margaret and Jerry Ryder; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Dennis had a life well lived and we will miss him forever. A celebration of his life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on May 22, 2021, at Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave., Hayden, ID 83835.

The family suggests donations be made to the Kootenai Humane Society, 11650 N. Ramsey Road, Hayden, ID 83835 (www.kootenaihumane.org), to your local animal shelter, or to a charity of your choice.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Please visit Dennis’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.