Obituary - Ume Mae Johnson

On the evening of Oct. 16, 2014, God called his angel from Omak, Washington, home to his side. Ume Mae Johnson passed quietly and unobtrusively in her sleep of natural causes, leaving without a fuss, which was her way. Anyone who was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Mae will never forget the dynamo in the tiny package, who made everyone feel welcome and would give the shirt off her back without a second thought.

Mae entered this world on Nov. 18, 1931, in Okinawa, Japan, the child of Goro and Tara Nakachi. She grew up in Okinawa, where she met and married Bryce Edwin Johnson on Aug. 13, 1956. Bryce and Mae were married for 58 years. Mae spent most of her life in Havre, Montana. She lived for a few years in Great Falls, Montana, flourishing in the social environment of the Golden Eagle, before moving to Omak, Washington.

Mae was a member of the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, for more than 50 years. The church and church members were very important to her.

Mae worked at the Havre Eagles Manor for more than 20 years. Working with the residents at the Manor was more that just a job, it was her calling; the residents of the Manor were more than people she worked for, they were her extended family. She had a zest for life and shared that wonderment with everyone she touched.

Mae was a very social person. Her family and friends were an integral part of her life. She cherished the times anyone came to visit, and would ply them with coffee and any food that was handy which, if you were lucky, often included her renowned pies. Food was, for her, a statement of her love. Mae's primary focus was always her family. Her grandchildren were first and foremost in her heart and mind.

Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Goro and Tara; brothers and sisters.

Mae is survived by her spouse, Bryce of Omak, Washington; son, Don of Omak, Washington; daughters, Dory (Rick) Henderson of Helena, Montana, and Kathy (Joe) Bryson of Okanogan, Washington; sisters, Nobu Naka of Okinawa and stateside relatives Mitsuko (Lawrence) Rice, Ayako (Robert) Whitley, Minako McDonald; and grandchildren, Michael Johnson, Keith Johnson, Jonathon (Bree) Solonar, Josh Solonar, Kendra Bryson, Jacob Bryson, Rikki Henderson; great-grandchild, Hunter Solonar; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives both in the United States and in Japan.

A memorial service will be held at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, 410 5th Ave., Havre, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2. A visitation will be held at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel, on Friday, Oct. 24, 5 to 7 p.m.