Walter Thor Johnson

It is with sadness that our family announces the passing of “Thor” in the Indian Head hospital on Saturday morning May 25th, 2024 after a brief illness. As I take time to share the memories of the life of this very special person, my husband and the father of our children, David and Carla, and pay a special tribute to him, I feel the compassion to share the following. It was sad but at the same time beautiful because I know in my heart, Thor waited for me to arrive early that morning just as I did every day that he was in the Indian Head hospital. I said good morning, gave him a kiss, told him “I love you” and sat down on the chair by the bed. I took hold of his hand and thought to myself that his breathing was different. Those thoughts were hardly on my mind when he peacefully took his last breath. It was sad but at the same time beautiful to know that he waited for me so that I could hold his hand to say goodbye - just as we had held our hands almost 64 years ago to say “I DO”. Thor enjoyed the music on the Easy Listening channel on the television and at the time of his passing “Melody of Love” by Billy Vaughn was playing - a tune that was popular when we were first married and one that we would have danced to.

Thor was born in the family home north-east of Churchbridge, Saskatchewan on August 12, 1939 to parents Valdi (Valdimar) Johnson and Finnie Johnson (Dyrfinna Hinricksson). He grew up on the family farm with his siblings (Ronnie, Lynne and Joanne) in the Thingvalla rural district where he attended school. Thor took part in all of the small country school activities such as the annual Christmas concerts and summer picnics. Thor graduated Grade twelve at Churchbrige High school and as a teenager he loved to play baseball and go hunting with his father and brothers.

Thor and Barbara were married on August 20, 1960 in Concordia Lutheran church, the same a little rural church a few miles north of Churchbridge where Thor was confirmed into his Lutheran faith. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Barbara (Alen) Indian Head, SK, son David (Jan Farris) Carstairs, Alberta and daughter Carla, Olmulgee, Oklahoma, USA, brother Ron, (Elin, diseased), Churchbridge, SK and sister Joanne (Gerry), Bredenbury, SK, many nieces, nephews and friends. In this final journey Thor joins his parents Valdi and Finnie, his brother Lynne and many other special relatives and friends.

Music was always a part of Thor’s life. His parents both played in a band: his Mother - piano, his father – accordion; He always enjoyed visiting with the music students while Barbara taught piano and electronic organ lessons. Thor loved to go dancing and more recently enjoyed singing hymns while Barbara practiced for church.

Thor enjoyed being involved with his children and attending their many horse riding events and band concerts, David’s football and hockey games and Carla’s Basketball games, her figure skating competitions and ice shows. Later in life Thor enjoyed travelling to visit Carla in Wyoming where she attended University and later taught, and David in Alberta helping with his farming where he enjoyed hunting and camping trips in the mountains with him.

After attending the U of S, Thor was employed with Poole Construction Ltd., Esterhazy, SK; Sask Power Corporation, Regina, SK; International Minerals & Chemicals Corporation, Esterhazy, SK which included six months in Senegal, West Africa; A.M.C. Group of Companies, Regina, SK and Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada, Thompson, MB and Regina, SK that included a trip to Germany for a business meeting.

In 1981, along with partners Jake Meyer and Lloyd Sickle, Chieftain Industrial Contractors and Consultants was formed with offices in Indian Head and Thompson MB. Work took them to various communities in Saskatchewan and in the mining industry in northern Manitoba. In Indian Head, Thor, Barbara and Jake and Ann Meyer opened the Indian Head Home Hardware Building Center in 1990. During his retirement years Thor spent a few summers doing crop hail adjusting for Co-op Hail.

Thor was always community minded. In Churchbridge, he served on Town council and was a member of the Men’s curling club. In Thompson he was a member of the Rotary Club. In Indian Head Thor was a charter member of the Indian Head Lions Club in 1980; a member of the Curling Club; served on Town Council and was involved with the restoration of the historic Bell barn. When Thor’s close friend Dave McCall was the mayor of Indian Head, they worked together to promote and were instrumental in helping accomplish the water and sewer upgrades and the paving of the streets – a project they believed was important to the future of the town.

With connections in several communities throughout his life, special friendships were formed from the opportunity of meeting and working with so many good people.

Thor loved to travel and was able to enjoy many holidays with destinations in Canada, United States, Germany, Mexico and Hawaii. Annual holidays were always a must with Thor and many summers were spent camping at Madge Lake, often with friends.

Even though his faith was an important part of Thor’s Life where special friendships were formed (Concordia Lutheran Church, Churchbridge, Christ Lutheran Church, Regina; Advent Lutheran Church, Thompson; and St. Andrews United Church, Indian Head), it was his wish to not hold a public service. A special time was shared with Reverend Koshy David, Nythia and Libby, who came immediately after Thor’s passing to offer Prayers and Bible readings on his journey to his heavenly home.

Those wishing to make a donation in Thor’s memory may do so at:

St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Sick Children in the USA, phone 1 800 568 0699 or forstjude.org

Regina Humane Society, 4900 Parliament Avenue, Regina, SK S4W 0T7

Indian Head and District Hospital Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 1547, Indian Head, SK S0G 2K0