December 13, 1922 - December 21, 2022
In loving memory ~
Nils Rudolph (Rudy) Johnson passed away peacefully on December 21, 2022, shortly after his 100th birthday. Rudy was born to Axel and Lydia Johnson in Haparanda, Sweden on December 13, 1922. His mother, brothers, Fred and Nestor, and sister Hjordis followed Axel to Canada in 1931 settling in the Fraser Valley. Rudy never attended school in Canada, going to work at the age of 9, and eventually into logging with his Dad. He met and fell in love with Helen Roskovich in 1942, and they were married on December 23, 1943, in Mount Lehman. They moved to the Cariboo in late 1947 and stayed the rest of their lives. Rudy did many things in his many years. He was a logger, sawmill operator, equipment operator, salvager, pilot, rancher, landlord, and building mover. He also built many things from roads and commercial buildings, homes, bowling alleys, banks, furniture and most infamously a bridge. He owned and built many businesses in the community from sawmills, a plane salvage company, plane transport, the Valleyview Motel, and Buckskin Ranch. Rudy was a great pioneer who built an amazing legacy, that could not be matched.
Rudy loved his community, politics, music, and a good visit over coffee or whiskey, but most importantly, he adored his family. Rudy and Helen were the loving parents to Gary, Janice, Randy, Bob, Don, and Debby, and they loved watching their family grow with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and a very large extended family. Rudy was happiest when he was with his people.
Rudy was entrepreneurial, intuitive, inventive, practical, kind, and beloved. Rudy will be dearly missed by his community, friends, and most of all his loving family.
The family would like to thank all the individuals who have cared for Rudy over the past years. Doctors, nurses, care aides, and neighbours. We are truly grateful.