JOHNSON; Karl Goodman
Karl passed gently on to his next adventure on August 30th, 2016. He had been happy and lovingly cared for in Heritage Village Care Facility in Chilliwack, BC since moving there in February of 2014. He is survived by daughter Karol (Reg) Henrotte, Verla (Norm) Avison, son Garry (Nadean) Johnson, daughter Shirley Acheson, daughter Donna Ketler (Dave). He was predeceased by wife Eva in 1975, daughter-in-law Ruby in April 2006, son-in-law Sean Acheson in May 2015, and his daughter Colleen Kirkpatrick in June 2016. He also leaves 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, with 3 more great grandchildren expected within months. Karl was born on a homestead in Manitoba, November 9, 1916, the youngest son of parents Sigurgeir and Anna Johnson who were Icelandic immigrants. He had many adventures growing up on a farm; surviving cold winters, traveling 9 miles to school in a horse drawn van, leaving school after grade 7 and trying many jobs from lumber camps to dairy farms, mostly working for room & board in the 1930's. He rode the rails with the men looking for work and took whatever opportunities presented, always returning to the family farm near Ebor, Manitoba to help his father with the farm in the spring. He was a very gifted mechanic, able to fix most any machine. He was also an amateur musician, who with a friend played for many school and barn dances in the 30's. In about 1938 he met Eva Scott who was about to enter Nurses Training in Brandon Manitoba. When Eva had finished her training and worked for a year, they were married in June 1943. They moved to a farm near Maryfield, Saskatchewan and over 10 years welcomed 6 children. By 1956 they moved the kids "lock-stock-and-barrel" to Vancouver, BC for more opportunities of education and what turned out to be a healthier lifestyle for Karl who suffered from allergies to the grain dusts of the farm. Karl leased and worked in several Service Stations in Vancouver until moving to Chilliwack in 1971 to live in an almost new house on Wedgewood Dr. Eva returned to work in Nursing at the Extended Care wing of Chilliwack General Hospital until her sudden death in August 1975. Karl continued his work in various capacities in Service Stations and dealerships for a few more years. By the age of 75, he took up his most enjoyable hobby of making Grandfather Clocks until the age of 95, when he had completed 39 for immediate family, wedding presents for grandchildren and friends upon request. He also made several china cabinets, desks, deacons benches, etc over the years. When he moved to Heritage Village he was known as the "Clock Man" as he took great interest in keeping at least 3 older clocks working there. Karl was always proud of his family and they were proud of him. He was a kind man who loved to read, kept up to date with politics until his last day, liked to play cards and very much enjoyed the visits to his last days from family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family and friends. He died 2 1/2 months short of his 100th birthday.... a Life Well Lived. A private grave side service will be held in Little Mountain Cemetary where he will be laid to rest beside Eva. A Celebration of Life is planned for Sept. 24th in Chilliwack. Anyone wishing to attend, please contact Karol at 604-796-2002 for further time & place details.