Maurice Douglas Johnson

Maurice Douglas Johnson, 95, died on April 19, 2025, at HopeWest Hospice Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. Cremation has taken place, and he is resting beside his beloved wife of 75 years, Corrine, in a beautiful urn made by family friend, Larry Weniger. Per their request, the family celebrated the lives of Doug and Corrine with a picnic and sharing of memories on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2025.

Doug was born May 1, 1929, in Northville, South Dakota, to Maurice Daniel and Ella Mae (Torrence) Johnson. Doug attended school in Northville and graduated from the school of hard knocks. On July 22, 1948, he married his best friend, Corrine Lena Bierman, in Aberdeen, SD. After working many different jobs in his earlier years, he signed on as a section laborer with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in April 1949 while also working with Corrine in a small grocery store in Northville, living in the quarters attached to the store. After Corrine became ill, they moved to the Schliebe farm where Doug helped as a farmhand in addition to his railroad job. They made Northville their home until moving to Huron in July 1952 with their two children, Kerwin and Lynette, in tow. Doug again worked for the railroad in Huron briefly as a fire knocker before accepting a position with Ed & Eb’s Super Market where he advanced from checker to produce manager. They were a fixture in Huron except for a brief move to Edgeley, North Dakota in 1961, where they tried their hands at owning and operating a grocery store. In 1969, after becoming empty nesters, they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where he accepted a position with Safeway as produce manager. In the 70s, they began building a cabin at Red Feather Lakes which became a gathering place for family and friends. It was also during this time that they purchased land in Caliente Casa de Sol RV Park near Florence, AZ in anticipation of their retirement years. After Doug’s 36 plus years in the grocery business, he and Corrine retired in tandem, and in 1991 purchased a new “park model” that would become their winter home. Doug and Corrine attracted many, many relatives and friends to Caliente, where they all gathered as snowbirds each winter for around three decades. Summers were spent between Grand Junction, CO and Friday Harbor, WA, visiting friends and family along the way.

Doug remained close with his friends and family throughout his long and full life. He was often referred to as a “rough, tough, cocoa puff” and underneath that façade was a heart of gold. A man of great faith, a wonderful dad, grandpa, great grandpa, uncle and friend. He dearly loved spending time with family and friends, camping, fishing, golfing, hunting, motorcycling, playing games (especially cards), skiing, traveling and in general just enjoying life.

Doug is survived by his son, Kerwin (Margaret Wider) Johnson, Friday Harbor, WA and daughter, Lynette Balding, Grand Junction, CO, brother, Doyle (June) Johnson, Florence, AZ, grandson Landon (Jackie) Balding, Grand Junction, CO, grandson Ben (Bahbe) Johnson, Lake Stevens, WA and granddaughter Vanessa Johnson, Friday Harbor WA, many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, several special nieces, nephews and their families, cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Corrine, his first-born grandson, Matt Johnson (2008), and his son-in-law, Lance Balding (2024).

A sincere thank you to all his caregivers at The Fountains, Grand Villa and HopeWest hospice care team. Memorials can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church or HopeWest of Grand Junction.