Darlene Johnston

Darlene Johnston, 78, of Three Forks, passed away peacefully in her sleep with her family by her side, on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.

Darlene was born in Three Forks on Jan. 27, 1937, to Shirley and Catherine Walbert, joining a sister Joyce and a brother Bud. They lived on a ranch east of Three Forks where Kents now live. Darlene went to grade school and high school in Three Forks graduating in 1955.

Darlene married Dean Johnston on March 5, 1955. They lived on the family ranch on the Herb Dunbar Ranch. Dean worked in the winter for the Hamilton Grocery located where the Three Forks Saddlery now is. Dean worked for Hamilton Grocery for 13 years. Then Aug. 1, 1967, Dean and Darlene bought the store from Mel and Joyce Hamilton and stayed in that location until July of 1978 when Dean and Darlene bought the building owned by Ed and Edna Bellach which was Bellach Plumbing and Heating. Dean and Darlene continued to own and operate the D & D Grocery until July 31, 1992, when they sold their business.

Darlene is survived by her husband Dean of Three Forks: Daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Mike Elmose of Three Forks; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Dana Johnston of Newcastle, Washington, and Cody and Heather Johnston of Three Forks; one sister Joyce Schneiter of Salt Lake City, Utah; two sisters-in-law Betty Ambo of Butte and Joan Johnston of Manhattan; Grandchildren: Casey (Niki) Elmose, Jodi (Ty) Ridgeway, Alex and Rex Johnston, and Traci and Beau Johnston; Great-Grandchildren: Ashtyn, Mykal, and Trace Ridgeway; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the Three Forks Methodist Church with the Reverend Linda Fritz officiating. Interment will be in Mount Green Cemetery in Willow Creek.

Memorials may be made to the Three Forks Methodist Church.