Bertha Johnson, 75, of Alamo, died Wednesday, July 1, 1998, at Mercy Medical Center in Williston after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Bertha was born Dec. 24, 1922, at Hazelton, the daughter of Philip and Johanna (Kast) Grenz who had emigrated from Russia. She was raised and educated in rural Hazelton. When she was 16, Bertha moved to Williston where she did housecleaning and other household jobs.

On March 16, 1942, she was married to Russell Johnson at Sidney, Mont. Russell was killed in Germany during World War II. August 1946. Bertha married Stafford Johnson at Sidney, Mont. They farmed the Johnson homestead south of Appam for many years. Stafford died in 1985. Bertha continued to make the farm her summer home and wintered in Williston where she did house sitting for people who went south.

Bertha was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1994.

She was a member of the United Lutheran Church and it's ELCA Church Women, the William R. Larson Post V.F.W. Auxiliary, and was a long-time Farmers Union member. She cooked at the Appam School for several years and was known to many as "Gramma Shorty." She enjoyed cooking, baking, reading, and following her grandchildren's sporting and school events. She was always concerned for her family's welfare and would help anyone who was in need of help. Bertha had a good sense of humor and enjoyed playing practical jokes.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, David and Jan Johnson of Williston, Larry and Nancy Johnson of Alamo, and Dennis and Mary Johnson of San Diego, California, two daughters and sons-in-law, Beverly and Gary Sundquist and Penny Lee and Rich Slagle, all of Williston; one brother, Albert Grenz of Linton; four sisters, Pauline Kirk of Seattle, Wash., Johanna Jasperson of Missoula, Mont., Amelia Miller of Irvine, Calif., and Viola Polhamus of Bremerton, Wash.; twelve grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, four sisters, and four brothers.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 3, 1998, at the United Lutheran Church in Zahl with Rev. Dean Bakken officiating.

Burial was in Bethel Cemetery at Zahl under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel of Williston.

Birth - 12/24/1922                                                                                                      Death - 07/01/1998                                                                                                Sex - F                                                                                                                  Age - 75                                                                                                         Mothers Maiden Name - Kast                                                                            Notes - Also married Stafford Johnson, Aug 1946                                             Source - Emmons County Record                                                                      Source Date - 07/07/1998