Klemens Johnson

Klemens Joel Johnson, less than two weeks shy of turning 90, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2013, at the Advanced Care Hospital in Billings, Montana. Klemens was born in Myers, MT, on March 8, 1923, to Herman and Elida (Pearson) Johnson. He graduated from Hysham High School in 1942. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought in Europe during World War II. He earned a Purple Heart when he was injured while serving under General George S. Patton, and he returned home to Montana. One of Klemens's favorite songs was “A White Sport Coat (and a Pink Carnation),” and just like the song, one of his favorite activities was to dress up in slacks, a white blazer, and white patent leather shoes, flourishing the pink flower, and attend dances, taking the ladies for spins around the floor. But as many women as may have graced his arm, Klemens' only love was Arlene Dinsmoore, whom he married on June 25, 1949, in Billings, MT. While the couple never had children, they helped raise Doug Dinsmoore. Klemens and Arlene lived in both Hysham and Missoula for a time before coming back to Billings and settling down. Most of Klemens' working life was spent in construction, the trade of his father and much of the Johnson family. However, he did spend some time in the late 1940s working as a mechanic at his brother Albin's car lot. Klemens was a classic Montanan, loving to hunt, fish, shoot and snowmobile, something he introduced his nephews to. He enjoyed simply being around people and spent many a happy evening socializing over frothy mugs. In his later years, he loved to tinker, working around his “ranchette” on 72nd Street, fiddling with his car or fixing on his buildings. He was always ready to lend a hand doing odd jobs for family, friends, and neighbors. When he wasn't tinkering, he was watching basketball. Anyone coming to the house could expect to find a game playing on the TV, no matter the time of day. Klemens is survived by his wife, Arlene, and one sister-in-law, Virginia (George) Johnson, both of Billings, and Doug Dinsmoore, of Gillette, WY, a son in spirit. Klemens was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Elida, his sister Ethel, and his brothers Albin, George, Leo, and Einar. Klemens will be missed by his wife, his friends, and those for whom he was a beloved uncle, great-uncle, and great-great-uncle. Thank you to the staff at the Advanced Care Hospital for their devotion to Klemens. Service: Military services and interment will be held on Friday, March 1, at 2:00 at Fairview Cemetery in Hardin. Memorial services will follow on Saturday, March 2, at 3:00 at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Billings, on the corner of Cook Avenue and 24th Street West.