Irene Carrol Bradley Johnson was born on March 26, 1936, at home in a log cabin in Crane, Montana to Asa and Dorothy (Hartl) Bradley. She joined her big brother Gordon who was almost 3. Eleven years later, sister Donna joined the family. Irene once wrote, “My father, Asa Bradley, built the house and it was a warm cozy home for the family for more than 20 years. Our running water was provided only by the one willing to run to get it! We had an ice box and an icehouse. It may seem sparse to today’s young people, but we were quite comfortable. My folks installed an electric wind charger when I was about 6.” She was known as Tottie to friends and family in Crane.

Irene attended grade school in Crane. Growing up she was active in 4-H and excelled at garment making. A favorite memory was her trip to the national “Make It Yourself with Wool” contest. As a senior she was one of 13 girls in the state of Montana and the first from Sidney to receive the “State Homemaker Degree” from the Future Homemakers of America.

She met Russell L. Johnson on an eighth grade 4-H field trip, after which they continued to see each other at school and 4-H. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1954. They connected again at college, and they were married on September 16, 1956, at the Congregational Church in Crane, the last couple married at that church. Together they attended MSU in Bozeman where she studied Home Economics. After graduation in June of 1958, Russell and Irene taught school in Joplin, MT - vocational agriculture and home economics, respectively, for one year. Their first child Craig was born in nearby Chester, MT. They returned to Sidney where Russell farmed, raised pigs, ranched, and sold feed in the Brorson area with his family Earl & Mildred Johnson, and Roger & Marthea Johnson. Their son Calvin was born on their fourth wedding anniversary and was followed by son Bruce, daughter Carol and eventually Colleen.

She spent her life as a homemaker, selflessly caring for her family. She enjoyed following kids in Brorson Farmhands as a 4-H leader. She was an active member of homemakers’ club and church groups with Pella Lutheran Church, Faith Circle and taught Sunday school. She continued to sew and crochet throughout her life. She judged home economics at numerous county fairs every summer. She was involved with Women in Farm Economics (WIFE).

They lived on the family farm west of Sidney until 2006 when they purchased and renovated a house in town. She lived in that house across from the water tower until 2018 when she moved into Extended Care. While living at extended care she enjoyed Bible study, all the social activities, church singing, greeting everyone she encountered and roaming down the halls to ride the exercise bike but the highlight of her days was always visits from her kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren. She loved seeing pictures and sharing stories.

Irene passed away suddenly on April 14, 2025, at Sidney Extended Care due to apparent heart failure.

She is survived by her husband Russell; her children Craig (Kari) Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Carol Johnson (Billings, MT), and Colleen Johnson (Brian) Miller (Portland, TX); grandchildren Cole (Kirstyn) Johnson, Ben (Karli) Johnson (Choteau, MT), Bret Rosager (Billings), Elisabeth, Elena, and Ekaterina Miller (Portland, TX); and great-grandchildren: Fletcher, Ronin, Addi, Harlow (Sidney), Brooks, Alidy, and Boyce (Choteau). She is also survived by her sister Donna Clayton (Ricky Smith) (Sandy, UT), sister-in-law Margaret Bradley, sister-in-law Marthea Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Asa and Dorothy Bradley, parents-in-law Earl & Mildred Johnson, son Bruce Johnson, infant brother Delbert, brother Gordon Bradley, and sisters-in-law Helen Dunn and Ramona Johnson.

She will be dearly missed by all of us who are left behind and remembered for her cheerful, loving, kind and helpful spirit. Her smile was infectious. She was a ray of sunshine, often taking the time to send clippings and cards when someone made the news.

Memorial Contribution

Thank You