Joseph P. Johnson age 75, of Dunseith, North Dakota passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 18th at Vibra Hospital in Mandan, North Dakota.

Joseph Peary Johnson was born on June 8, 1948 to Peary Johnson and Florence Noder Johnson in Minot, ND. He was raised in Maxbass, North Dakota and completed his high school education in 1966. He went to the School of Forestry in Bottineau, ND and finished his education at Mayville State University with his bachelor's degree.

Joe's first job as a teacher was in Glenburn from 1970 to 1975, Rolla from 1975 to 1977 and Bottineau from 1977 to 1986. He moved to Esmond for a year as their principal. From there he went to Denver Colorado for a year as a substitute teacher. There he fell in love with the community and the Denver Broncos. He came back to North Dakota and taught at the Turtle Mountain Community High School in Belcourt from 1988 to 2007. He also taught part time at the Turtle Mountain Community College from 2004 to 2007. In his early years of teaching he also Custom Combined every summer. He loved to share his experiences as a Custom Combiner with everyone who would listen.

He met his wife Angela Allery shortly after he moved to Belcourt. They married on October 12, 1991. Joe and Angela enjoyed 32 years of marriage together. Joe loved his job but also loved traveling. He said if I have to work 9 months of the year then I'm going to travel for 2 months of the year. He loved visiting National Parks with Zion National Park being one of favorites. He also enjoyed traveling through the Rocky Mountains. Joe and Angela traveled many places together and started out their adventures camping in a tent. They moved up to a pop-up camper and lastly invested in a 5th wheel that they enjoyed very much. He had a love for football and would religiously watch the NDSU Bison on Saturdays and the Denver Broncos on Sundays.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Angela; Daughter Michelle (Axe Rondeau) Blue of Rolette; Son Michael (Kris) Blue of Rolette; Grandchildren Chelsi (Mike Allick) Delorme of Belcourt; Megan Boppre of Fort Morgan, CO; Tayler (Kevin) Wehrer of Fort Morgan, CO; Tyler Boppre of Wray, CO; Shayna Delorme of Belcourt; Mhacie Foote of Parshall, ND; Landon Blue of Rolette; Great Grandchildren Seth, Eliza, Weston, Ava, Jett, Hartlee, Jextyn, Blayze, Beau and Hudson. Brother-in-law Keith Allery of Belcourt; Sister-in-law Theresa Martinez of Dunseith; Sister-in-law Sharon (George) Allery of Belcourt; Sister-in-law Tina Gillis of Trenton, ND; and Brother-in-law Mark (Cora) Allery of Belcourt.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Peary and Florence Johnson, Brother-in-law John Allery and Sister-in-law Carla Allery.

A funeral mass was held Monday, July 24th at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Belcourt at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at The Holden Cemetery near Newburg, ND.

Nero Funeral Home of Bottineau, ND was in charge of arrangements.