Harlan Peter Johner • 1949 - 2004

Harlan Peter Johner, 54, Rockview Good Samaritan Home, Parshall, died Saturday, July 31, 2004, in a Minot Hospital.

Harlan P. Johner was born September 9, 1949 to Peter and Marie (Christiansen) Johner in Rugby, North Dakota. He was reared and educated in Towner and graduated from Towner High School in 1967. He attended the University of North Dakota and Minot State College.

Harlan was a chapter in a lot of people's lives. In Towner, he began as a printer's devil for the Mouse River Farmer's Press at age 12. He worked at his parents' restaurant, Johner's Café in Towner for many years, entertaining customers with his stories and ideas. At Towner High School, he was actively involved in Newspaper, Drama, Speech, Band, Choir, and Pep Club. He entered UND in 1967 in the Honors Program studying English Literature. He worked at Northern Improvement in Grand Forks and in Gillette, Wyoming as a derrick hand.

Harlan moved to New Orleans, LA and lived there for 30 years. While in New Orleans, he worked as a chef for several off-shore oil rigs. He spent many years exploring the city of New Orleans, learning about the city and its history, often acting as tour guide to friends and family visiting the city. In New Orleans, Harlan and his friends were involved in the New Orleans Opera Company and the NORD Community Theatre. Over the years in New Orleans, he cared for many ill friends with gentleness, dignity, and humor.

In the fall of 2001, his brother, Byron and sister, Karen helped to move Harlan back to North Dakota to live with his sister Judy and her husband Bruce in Minot. In the last two years, Harlan had accompanied his mother, Marie, to concerts, plays, church, social gatherings, shopping and trips out of town taking care of her every need. Harlan gloried in the beauty of North Dakota from the green of Byron's home in Michigan, ND to his beloved hometown of Towner, to the badlands across from the cabin in New Town. All in Harlan's family treasure the time they had with him since his return.

Harlan shared his life with his mother, Marie Johner, Minot, brother, Byron (Evie) Johner, Michigan, ND; sisters, Judy (Bruce) Schwan, Minot and Karen (Bob) Zimmerman, Alexandria, VA; Nieces, Cassandra (Joe) Stangler, Holly (Kyle) Fraccaro, Jill (Scott) Kielty, Teri and Lori Johner, Katina (Dan) Merck, Kris (Ken) Shean and Heather Schwan; Nephews, Bryan (Michelle) Schwan and Jacob Schwan; grandnieces, Joelle Stangler, Brenna Kielty, Ellison Shean; grandnephews, Jordan, Judson and Jaxon Stangler, Ryan Kielty, Taylor Schwan, Caden Shean, Keaton, Mason, Logan and Carson Merck; Aunt, Mildred Johner; Uncle, Gaylord (Nona) Christiansen; cousins, Susan Miller, Carlene Peters, Blaine Johner, Janice Johner, Myrna Ness, Arlene Wilson, Roger Christiansen, Lyle Christiansen, Linda Smith and John Paul.

Harlan was preceded in death by his father, Peter Johner; friends, Dodie, Tom, and Paul of New Orleans.

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Towner ND.

Interment: St. Cecilia Catholic Cemetery, Towner.

Visitation hours: There will be no reviewal, but friends may sign a register at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot from noon to 7:00 on Monday.

All friends of the family are invited to 117 7th St. SE, Minot on Monday, August 2, 2004 at 7 p.m. for a time of sharing love and memories.

Officiant: Father Vern Smith

Music: St. Cecilia's Choir with Evie & Lori Johner

Readers: Lori Johner, Jill Kielty

Prayers of the Faithful: Judy Schwan

Gift bearers: Cassie Stangler & Teri Johner

Eucharistic Ministers: Kris Shean, Tina Merck, Bregetta Jorde

Poetry Recitation: Teri Johner

Honorary Bearers: Schoolmates from Towner High School

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