Delores Johnson

Delores Johnson, 92, Bismarck, passed away on August 15, 2024, at home. Delores was born on May 7, 1932, in Fargo, ND, to Lawrence and Margaret (Gorman) Ukestad. She was raised and attended schools in Fargo. Delores was the first class to graduate from Shanley High School in 1951.

On September 19, 1953, she married her childhood sweetheart, Richard Johnson, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fargo. They were blessed with three children.

Throughout their marriage they lived in Fargo, Williston, Grand Forks, Valley City, Rugby, Garrison, and Mandan. Delores was a full-time homemaker until their children entered school and then she was employed at various businesses as a secretary.

Delores enjoyed watching sports (especially football), playing bingo, bowling, golfing where she made a hole in one, watching birds, decorating, entertaining, attending grandchildren’s events, and visiting family and friends. She especially loved spending time with all of her great-grandchildren.

Dick and Delores were true lifelong partners. Where you saw one, you saw the other and many times that was in the stands watching their grandchildren in sporting events.

Delores will be remembered most by the love she gave to her family and the lifelong devotion to her Catholic faith. Delores is survived by her daughters, Tammy (Gene) Heinrich, and Kari; three grandchildren, Richie (Sarah), Michael (Katie), and Christopher (Tricia); seven great-grandchildren, Luke, Jake, Andrew, Kristen, Grant, Bennett, and Athena; three sisters, Evelyn Soukup, Darlene Arendt, Linda Bortke, and a brother, Larry Ukestad; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Daisy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her son, Steve; her parents, Lawrence and Margaret Ukestad; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Al and Dorothy Johnson; brothers-in-law, Al Soukup, Jerry Arendt, Al Bortke; a sister-in-law, Terry Ukestad; nephews, Al Soukup and Tim Arendt; and a great-niece, Amy Bortke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, August 23, at the Catholic Church of Ascension, 1905 S 3rd St, Bismarck. Burial will be held Friday, August 23, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46th St, Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 22, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday, August 23, one hour prior to the service at Ascension.