Joan Johnston

Doris Joan (Martin) Johnston of Three Forks entered the gates of heaven on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at the age of 83. Joan was born on Nov. 8, 1931, in Whitehall, Montana, to John R. (Dick) and Jesse Martin. She was a 1949 graduate of Harrison High School where she played basketball and was a cheerleader. She met Don Johnston from Three Forks at a Harrison High School Dance and they married on April 28, 1949. Farming was their life for over 50 years.

Don and Joan were members of First Baptist Church of Three Forks where they were instrumental in starting the church in the early 1960s. Joan served as church treasurer for over 35 years as well as teaching Sunday School. She was also a part of the Women's Missionary Union (WMU) at First Baptist Three Forks. Joan loved working in her yard and garden and woe to the rabbit or any other flower or vegetable eating creature who entered the premises. It was well known that she kept a loaded 22 pistol on the dryer by the back door. We will miss her End of the Garden relish and her famous decorated Christmas cookies.

Joan is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law Rick and Debbie of Livingston, Montana, and their children Jason (Sandy) Johnston, Ben and Cassie; Randy and Vicky Johnston of Three Forks and their children Courtney (Kevin) Allen, Travis (Holly) Johnston and Erin (Mike) Lorenz; and two daughters, Sherri Johnston of Rockwall, Texas, and Shauna (David) Lee and their daughter Tara of Earlsboro, Oklahoma. Great-grandchildren include Trevor and Mackenzie Allen; Dylan, Malina and Gavin Johnston; and Harper and Lennon Lorenz. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Dixie and Dean Stewart of Fallbrook, California; brother-in-law Dean Johnston of Three Forks and sister-in-law Betty Ambo of Butte, Montana, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Three Forks. Interment will take place at the Willow Creek Cemetery in Willow Creek, Montana. Arrangements are in the care of K & L Mortuary in Three Forks.