Harold O. Johnson, 93, of Devils Lake, ND and formerly of Minnewaukan, ND, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at the Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake, ND. A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the Trinity Free Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan, ND with Pastor Luther "Lu" Mathison officiating. Music will be provided by Fay Huffman. Military Honors will be provided by the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.

Harold Orville Johnson was born on January 5, 1922 in Norland Township, Roseau County, MN to Erick and Amanda (Johnson) Johnson. In 1924, his family moved to Devils Lake, ND.

Harold attended elementary and high school in Cando and Devils Lake. At the age of 53, Harold received his G.E.D. He enlisted in the United States Army on October 14, 1942 and served his country during World War II as a member of Hq Battery, 409 F.A. Group in New Guinea, Australia, and the Philippines. On January 19, 1946, Harold received his Honorable Discharge.

Harold married Clarice (Myhre) Rekkedal on February 3, 1971 in Minnewaukan, ND where they lived for the next 38 years. He was a longtime member of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

After attending the University of Utah Institute for Technological Training in 1975, Harold became a Certified Master Addiction Counselor. Helping others in recovery through alcohol addiction became his passion as he proudly celebrated his sobriety until the day he passed away, more than 46 years. He was instrumental in sharing the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous in Minnewaukan, Devils Lake and other communities in the surrounding area.

During the years prior to becoming an addiction counselor, Harold worked at various jobs involving farm labor, construction, and plumbing. As an addiction counselor, he worked at the Fort Totten Alcohol Program and then for the Lake Region Human Services Center in Devils Lake until retiring in 1986. After retirement, he kept busy as a custodian for the Minnewaukan School through the Green Thumb Program.

Harold and Clarice moved to the Odd Fellows Home, Devils Lake, in 2009. Clarice passed away on November 1, 2010. He became a resident of Heartland Care Center on September 28th of this year.

Surviving is his daughter: Linda Stephan of Phoenix, AZ and a son: Rob (Karen) of Portland, OR; step-daughter: Darleen (Brad) Gangl of Bottineau; step-sons: Edward (Beverly) Rekkedal of Arvilla, ND, Curtis (Sandra) Rekkedal in Virginia; step-daughter-in-law: Lynn Rekkedal of Oberon, ND; grandchildren: Robert Johnson Jr., Shelly Shoebridge, David Rekkedal, Dale Rekkedal, Brad Rekkedal, Brent Rekkedal, Tina O'Riley, Macey Obenchain, Curtis Rekkedal, Jory Rekkedal, Tanis Rekkedal, Halley Mouring, Amanda Mahler, Matt Seykora, Ryan Seykora, and Dan Seykora; several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Harold passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake, at the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Clarice; son Darrell in 2009; step-son Gary in 2011; brothers: Ernest (Ernie) and Ted.