Walt Frank Johnson

Walter “Walt” Frank Johnson, 83, Steele, died July 12, 2016. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, July 15, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Steele, with Rev. Jacob DeBoer officiating. Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Steele. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Thursday, July 14, at the Eastgate-Steele Memorial Chapel in Steele, ND, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Walt was born November 14, 1932, in Steele, ND, the son of Frank and Golda (Gebhard) Johnson. He moved to Woodland, WA, and Baker, OR, in the 1930s and returned to Steele in 1939, shortly after his father’s death. Walt started school and graduated from Steele High School in 1951. He worked for International Harvestor Dealership with his great-uncle, Frank Gebhard, was co-owner of the John Deere Dealership in Steele and worked as a mechanic and farm laborer at Pepple Machine for 34 years. He then retired, but worked for many local farmers and ranchers. Walt participated in all sports in high school and started playing amateur baseball at 14-years-old, along with the “Big Men” (many ex-WWII GI’s). There was no Babe Ruth or Legion Baseball then. He continued this Sunday sport with all surrounding towns until his body said, “no more.” His proudest achievement was pitching a no-hitter in the State Amateur Baseball Tournament in Jamestown in 1956. Walt married Beverly Burkett on February 26, 1956, and the couple celebrated their 60-year anniversary this last February 2016. They lived in Steele their entire lives and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Walt was the Mayor of Steele for 27 years. He served on both city and church councils, taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and was treasurer for the Saddle Club for many years. He recently managed the Steele Housing Apartments. Walt also served as lay pastor for church services on occasion when called. Walt is survived by his wife, Beverly A. Johnson, Steele; his son, Robert, Mandan; his daughter, Tami (Danny) Spiros, Grand Forks; his son, Todd (Brenda), Menahga, MN; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brook, and her children, Mason and Nevaeh; Brad (Mary) and children, Hailey and Jared; Jeff (Lexi); Roger (Elana) and their son, Kaleb; Erik (Brittany) and their daughters, Aulani and Raeden; and Ryan; his sisters, Margaret Janke and Mildred (Russ) Hanson; and his brother, Robert (Vernice) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clyde and Stella Burkett; and a half-brother, Harold Horn. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Kidder County Ambulance or Woodlawn Cemetery.