Sheldon Johnstone

Sheldon G. Johnstone, age 90, of Crookston, MN, formerly of Staples, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at RiverView Hospital in Crookston. Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, August 24, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Staples. Friends and relatives are invited to gather at the church on Monday beginning at 1:00PM. Interment with military honors by Tri-County Post 124 of Motley will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.
Sheldon G. Johnstone was born December 26, 1918, in Dutton, MT, the son of George William and Leni Eva (Van Horn) Johnstone. He graduated from Staples High School in 1937; Sheldon was employed by Northern Pacific Railroad in Staples from the age of 19 until he retired in January of 1978. His railroad career was interrupted by WWII when he served his country in Europe and Africa with the 2nd Battalion 135th Infantry from April 23, 1941 until May 16, 1945. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Mae Vanderhoef of Staples on April 12, 1941. To this union four children, Alice, Linda, David and Donna were born. The couple raised their family on a farm south of Staples where he farmed along with working for the railroad. Sheldon and Evelyn were able to share 25 years of marriage together before she died on September 17, 1967. On June 8, 1974, Sheldon married Agnes (Brolsma) Cowell, of Crookston, MN expanding his family with the addition of David Cowell, Coleen and Patricia. Sheldon loved to farm but he also enjoyed helping others by serving Grievance Chairman of the Railroad Union and serving on the local School Board. He was accomplished welder, and also enjoyed metal working, and woodworking. He was very inventive and mechanically inclined. In his later years he enjoyed gardening and building rock walls. He enjoyed eating in general, but especially ice cream, cookies and fresh berries. After their retirement, they enjoyed living on the lakes by Pine River and Grand Rapids, MN, and wintering in South Texas before moving to Crookston. Sheldon was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Leni; first wife, Evelyn in 1967; brothers, Lloyd and Glenn; sister, Leni; and great-granddaughter, Kristin. Sheldon will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Agnes of Crookston; children, Alice (Willie) Harris, of Hondo, TX, Linda Mae Mille of Alexandria, MN, David (Diane) Johnstone, of Browerville, MN, and Donna (Terry) Zimmer, of Nelson, MN; step-children, David (Karen) Cowell, of Durango, IA, Coleen (Jerry) Bitker of Halstad, MN, and Patricia (Mike) Danielson of Viroqua, WI; 11 grandchildren, Brenda Miller, Becky (Tim) Ness, Christopher (Sara) Johnstone, Michael Johnstone, Joshua Johnstone, Kayla Zimmer, Kelly Zimmer, Jyl (John) McIntosh, Jake (Sharnel) Bitker, Katie (Corey) Starr, and Jon (Amy) Danielson; and 16 beloved great-grandchildren, Blake, Elijah, and Camden Ness, Malie Finstad, Ronnie, Mary, Maria, Nicholas, Selena, and Khiley Johnstone, Michaela and Johnny McIntosh, Lillian, Elzetta, and Sharlet Bitker, and Landen Starr.