Fern Louise (Millsap) Johnson was born in Clarkston WA on January 4, 1925 to Charlotte and Leslie Millsap. She lived to be 99 years old and died peacefully in her sleep on July 24th, 2024.
Fern graduated from High School in Clarkston, WA and then completed a 1 year secretarial course. She worked for 2 years as a clerk in the local Power and Light office and then moved to Seattle WA to attend Northwest Bible Institute and Seminary. While there, Fern met and married Earl Wesley Johnson of Cashmere, WA.
They were married on Aug 3, 1947 and stayed in Seattle until their graduation in 1949. Earl was licensed in the Open Bible Church in 1950 and ordained in 1953. Their first pastorate was in the early 1950’s in Southwick, ID. After 2 years Earl and Fern took a sabbatical but returned to the ministry in 1958. This began their ministry for the next thirty-five years. Earl and Fern pastored churches in Wilbur, WA, Hardin, MT, Belle Fourche, SD, Rapid City, SD, Aberdeen, WA, and Spokane Valley, WA. Fern was ordained and has held credentials with Open Bible Standard Churches since March 1972. Her life’s work was the support of her husband in each church they pastored. The couple retired in 1991 and returned to Aberdeen, WA. After Earl’s death on December 24, 1997, Fern moved to Rapid City, SD, for the love and support of her many friends at the Open Bible Church there.
In 2004 Fern moved to Locust Grove, GA to live with her daughter, Susan. Southern living was an enjoyable experience. In 2011, Fern and Susan moved to Belle Fourche, SD, where she happily lived out her days and attended church at Summit Open Bible Church.
In addition to the ministry, Fern’s interests included oil painting, flower gardens, reading, and clam digging with Earl.
Fern is survived by her daughter, Susan Rentz of Belle Fourche and her son, Stephen Johnson (Diane) of Golden CO. She is also survived by her two brothers, Wayne Millsap of North Las Vegas, NV and Dean Millsap of Idaho Falls, ID; 7 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Preceding her in death is her husband, Earl Johnson, her daughter, Linda Aldave, and her great grandson, Brady Ralston.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Summit Open Bible Church in Belle Fourche, SD.
Cremation arrangements are under the care of Kline Funeral Home of Belle Fourche. Inurnment will be in Lewis and Clark Memorial Gardens in Lewiston, ID.
The funeral will be livestreamed and can be viewed on Fern’s obituary page at klinefuneralchapel.com
Memorial donations are suggested to be sent to Summit Open Bible Church in Belle Fourche, SD.
An online guest book and video tribute is available at klinefuneralchapel.com
