Burt Johnson

James Burton (Burt) Johnson, 88, of Conrad, passed away peacefully February 26, 2018 at home.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 3rd, at 11:00am at Bethany Lutheran Church in Dutton, MT.  There will be a viewing Friday evening, March 2nd, from 5:00-7:00pm at the Pondera Funeral Home in Conrad, MT.

Burt was born March 25, 1929 to Elvin and Lila (Hartling) Johnson in Great Falls, MT.  The family traveled around the state of Montana during his school years making homes and friends in many communities.  He graduated from Butte High School, attended Western Montana College then taught elementary school in Conrad.  He joined the Army and spent time in Japan and Korea.

Burt married Elsie Lederer January 16, 1952.  They had four children.  The family moved to Westminster, California in 1962. He continued his education during the summers and earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Montana in Missoula.  In California he was an elementary school teacher for the next 32 years.  Upon retirement, Burt and Elsie returned to Conrad and lived on the Lederer homestead.  They enjoyed traveling with their fifth wheel trailer or in their airplane.  Elsie passed away in December 2004 after 52 wonderful years together.

Burt married Dorothy (Crawford) Lederer in April 2008.  They met at a family reunion ~ Dort’s late husband, Bud, and Elsie were cousins. They fully enjoyed traveling, visiting friends and family and exploring the roads of Montana and other places.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his children Kathy (Craig) Winter of Deer Lodge, Jamie (Dan) Dixson of Missoula, Arnold of Missoula, and Julie (Rick) Nelson of Great Falls ~ his grandchildren Chris (Sherry) Winter, Tricia (Dan) Van Andler, Theresa (Kelly) Johnson, Scott (Debbie) Johnson, Aaron (Amber) Winter, Rachael (Matt) Barton, Amber (Lee) Richardson, Brian (Tammera) Winter, Corey Dixson, and Crystal Johnson.

He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren, step children: Gary (Leann) David, Sue (Manuel) (Lederer) George, David (Janice) Lederer and their families.

Burt touched the lives of many, many people on his journey and will be missed!  A good friend stated that “If you knew Burt, Burt was Burt, if you didn’t ~ your loss.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Bethany Lutheran Church in Dutton, Montana or a charity of donor’s choice.