Arvada Dorene Johnson, 88, of Bismarck, ND, formerly of Kintyre, ND, passed away peacefully of natural causes on December 20, 2025, at Missouri Slope in Bismarck, ND. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 423 2nd St E, Napoleon, ND. Burial will take place in the spring at Napoleon Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, beginning at 1:30 p.m., with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m., at Feist Funeral Home, 224 2nd St W, Napoleon, ND.

Born on August 13, 1937, in Arena, ND, to John and Erna (Weisenberger) Merkel, Arvada married the love of her life, Wesley Johnson, on November 7, 1954. Their wedding was a unique and cherished double ceremony alongside her sister Marlene and Walter Eckholm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND. Together they settled on the Johnson family farm 10 miles southwest of Napoleon.

Arvada was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who dedicated her life to her family, raising two children with unwavering love, patience, and grace. Wesley and Arvada were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kintyre, ND and she was actively involved in her local ladies club and cherished visiting with neighbors and friends. Arvada found great joy in shopping, gardening, knitting, crocheting, annual Christmas baking with her sister Ilene, and family camping trips. Above all, her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose lives she enriched with her warm spirit, homemade treats, and endless affection.

Arvada is survived by her children, Carol (Deacon Allen) Baumgartner of Napoleon and Kevin (Cindy) Johnson of Bismarck; her grandchildren, Jason (Kristie) Baumgartner, Lisa (Lance) Dolajak of Bismarck, Corey Baumgartner of Fargo, Ryan (Jackie) Baumgartner of Dallas, Texas, Brandon Johnson, and Blake Johnson of Bismarck, ND; great-grandchildren Jenner, Joah, Jerit Baumgartner, Jak, Max, Levi Dolajak, Weston, and twin girls Emersyn and Elena Baumgartner; her sister Geraldine Germundson of Minot; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wesley Johnson; her parents, John and Erna Merkel; and her sisters, Ilene (Fuller) Trusty and Marlene Eckholm; and her brothers, Arnold and LeRoy Merkel.

Arvada will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, kindness, and family devotion will live on forever in our hearts.