Irene Pearl (Burt) Johnston

Irene Pearl (Burt) Johnston, 84, passed away peacefully from natural causes on Feb. 13, 2014, at Chapel Court, a part of St. John's Lutheran Ministries in Billings.

A memorial service and inurnment will be in Wolf Point at a later date.

She was born June 12, 1929, in Merced, Calif., to Amos and Florence Burt. The family moved to Aberdeen, Idaho, when she was a small child and she graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1947. She attended nurse's training at Pocatello General Hospital and earned her RN in 1950. She married Harry Johnston on Jan. 21, 1953. They resided in Pocatello, Idaho, until 1958, when they moved to Wolf Point.

She was a nurse in the office of Dr. Mark Listerud for over 40 years. After her retirement, she served as secretary for the 1st Presbyterian Church. In 2001, she and Harry moved to Nashua, and shortly after Harry's death in 2006, she moved to Billings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; daughter, Jean Knudson; sister, Nellie Tiahrt; and brother, William Burt.

Survivors include three children: Burt Johnston and his wife, Bette, of Fort Peck, Patricia Kleeberg and her husband, Michael, of Muncie, Ind.; Rebecca Johnston of Williston, N.D.; one brother, Robert Burt, and his wife, Anne, of Pocatello; 10 grandchildren, Erik Knudson and his wife, Jessica, Ryan Knudson, Stephanie Hansen and her husband, Del, Devin Jones and her husband, Cameron, Casey Johnston, Harry Henman, Mari Henman, Alicia Henman, Nathan Duncan, and Tyler Duncan; 7 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and dear friend Jan Young.

In remembrance of Irene, memorials may be made to: Chapel Court; St. John's Lutheran Ministries; 3940 Rimrock Road; Billings, MT 59102.

Bell Mortuary of Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.