Selma Johnson

Selma Eleanor Johnson, 92, of Gillette, Wyoming, died Friday, November 10, 2006, of natural causes in Pioneer Manor Nursing Home.She was born July 10, 1914, at the family farm in French River, Minnesota, to Michael Laiti and Alpha Hjortdahl Laiti. She was the youngest of 12 children. She spent her early years attending school and working on the farm until moving to Chicago at the beginning of WW II to work in a defense plant. During the war she met her future husband, Wesley Johnson, then a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps. After the war they married in Butte, Montana. Later they owned and operated a sawmill and logging business for 20 years. After selling the sawmill, they lived in Whitehall, Montana, for a number of years before moving to Kalispell, Montana. In 1991 Selma & Wesley moved to Hulett, Wyoming, to live on their daughter and son-in-law?s ranch and finally moved to Gillette due to Wesley?s failing health. He passed away in 2003.Selma was known for her hospitality and cooking. She always had a lot of willing friends and relatives to eat her delicious meals and baked goods. When she wasn?t cooking she was enjoying camping, hunting, and fishing. Her favorite days were spent along the trout streams in Wise River, Montana, fishing with family.Selma is survived by her daughter, Nancy Hallinan, of Gillette, granddaughters Jennifer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Erin of Ft. Collins, Colorado, grandson Timothy Patrick Jr. of Boulder, Colorado, and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wesley, and 11 brothers and sisters.Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home of Gillette is handling the arrangements for cremation, and a private family memorial gathering will take place at the Hallinan Ranch in Hulett at a later date. Memorial and condolences may be sent in her name in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming, or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.