Lois Bales-Johnson

Lois M. (Ford) Bales Johnson passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 84. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, May 8 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. Family will greet guests from 11:30 to 1 p.m.

Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

Lois was born on May 20, 1940 to Verna (Isaac) and Erwin Ford of Herreid, South Dakota. She has one sister, Joyce (Ford) Ochsner. Lois grew up on a farm and while in third grade, her family moved to Herreid where she graduated from high school and worked at the Campbell County Bank.

She married Harlow Bales in 1958 and they had four children. They started their family in Fort Lewis, Washington where Harlow was serving in the military. After the military, Harlow and Lois moved back to Herreid and then to Bowman, North Dakota. Their final move was to Bismarck, North Dakota where Lois spent 45 years working for various insurance companies. Lois and Harlow were very involved in the Bismarck Reformed Church and the Evangelism Explosion program where she mentored many young women. Harlow and Lois divorced in 1988.

In 1992, Lois married Don Johnson who had two sons, Ken and James Johnson. Lois and Don created many memories sailing on Lake Sakakawea and spending winters in Florida. Don passed away in 2003. In 2007, Lois moved to Hartford, South Dakota and lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Lynette and Rick.

Lois enjoyed playing scrabble, cards, arguing politics and reading God’s word. Lois loved raising her children. Spending time with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her.

Lois is survived by her children, Brad (Sally) Bales and their children Brittany (Jon) (Ella, Lillian, Daniel), Colin (Erin) (Archer and Indiana), Chris (Vanessa) (Thea, Cleo and Mila) and Aaron (Eden) (Kit), John (Kaye) Bales and his children Whitney (Jesse) Sykes (John, James and Mimi) and Brennan, Lynette (Rick) Coker and children Josiah (Hunter) (Halle), Rachel (Kolbi) Selby (Karter) and Todd Coker, and Jennifer (Brian) Hammer and their child Morgan.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KNDR.