Idah Marie Johnson

Idah Johnson, age 96, of Forsyth

On August 3,1929 Elizabeth "Bessie" Kirkpatrick hosted her usual Saturday bridge club, but that evening was at Holy Rosary hospital in Miles City, Montana. At the time husbands were not allowed in the labor and delivery room, but the bridge club was. That is when Idah Marie was born. Because of the circumstances of her birth Idah was an avid and lifelong bridge player, she also competed in several tournaments.

She grew up in Miles City graduating from Custer County High School in 1948. On February 28,1959 she married the love of her life Elwyn "Bud" Johnson. After a honeymoon in North Dakota Bud and Idah settled in Miles City. In 1968 the family moved to Red Lodge where she worked as a bookkeeper for Montana Power. Then in 1973 the family moved to Billings. One day in 1974 she abruptly quit her job and enrolled at Eastern Montana College, majoring in education. In 1978 she graduated with honors. On Idah's birthday in 1978 Idah and Bud moved to Forsyth where she taught fifth grade until her retirement. Forsyth was truly home for Mr. and Mrs. J. as her students referred to them.

After Bud's death in 1997 Idah fulfilled her dream of travel taking trips to Europe and a Caribbean cruise with her daughter's mother-in-law, Lois Dyce.

Idah died on October 2 nd at St. Vincent's hospital. The send off party will be Friday, October 31 from 1:00-3:00 at the Stevenson & Son community room in Forsyth.

Idah was preceded in death by her husband Bud, daughter Terry, parents Dean and Bessie Kirkpatrick, brother Harry Kirkpatrick, sister Irene Martin and nephew James Martin. She is survived by daughter Melanie (John) Dyce of Billings, granddaughter Tiffany (Jeremy) Opie of Billings niece Kathy Beling of Missoula and niece Linda (Jim) Fleming of Spokane, Washinton. And many friends.

Don't even think about sending flowers instead send the money to either Samaritan's Pantry in Forsyth or St. Jude's in Memphis, Tennessee.

A graveside service will be at 1:00 pm at the Forsyth Cemetery on Friday, October 31, 2025. A luncheon will follow back at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.