Dayle Johnson, 89, of Ely, NV passed away February 15, 2025 following a brief illness. He was born October 15, 1935 in Hatton, ND to Clarence and Bernice Vigen Johnson. He was baptized at the Little Forks Parsonage on November 9, 1935, by Paster A.J. Eikeland and confirmed July 2, 1950 in Little Forks Church by Paster A.E. Setness.
Dayle graduated from Hatton High School May 23, 1953. In June, he started attending summer school at Mayville State Teachers College and began his teaching career at Holden Lake School in the fall of 1954. For the next five years, he taught in rural schools in several North Dakota counties. During these years, and later, he attended lessons at the Mayville State College where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in May 1967. In 1967, Dayle accepted a teaching position in Ely, NV where he taught until his retirement in 1994.
Dayle enlisted in the US Army September 27, 1960, and received an honorable discharge after having spent time in Germany working in the 38th Transportation Battalion Headquarters.
Dayle’s greatest joy came from his horses. While living in Nevada, he belonged to “Bristlecone Country Riders”, a local equestrian club. He belonged to the American Bachkir Curly Horse Registry of Ely for 11 years and rode in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. He served as Marshal of his riding group in the 1992 and 1993 parades. In May 2001, Dayle was the first inductee into the American Bashkir Curly Horse Registry – one of the first inductees into the ABC’s Wall of Honor.
In 1994, after eight years of teaching in ND and twenty-seven years of teaching in Nevada, he retired from teaching. He moved back to North Dakota where he enjoyed his time going to movies, visiting with friends, playing the piano, and of course, tending to his many animals. After 3 years of cold winters, Dayle moved back to Nevada after a land swap with an old friend, John Rogin and his wife Laurie from Ely. Dayle resided in Ely up until the time of his passing. He had many friends that will miss him deeply. Per his wishes, Dayle will be interred at St John Cemetery in Hatton, ND.
Dayle is survived by many nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by sisters, Donna (Mrs. Harlow) Thompson, Doretta (Mrs. Roland) Erickson, and Darlene (Mrs. Terry) Carlson and a brother, DuWayne Johnson.
A celebration of life will be held at the Ely Senior Center (1000 Compton Street, Ely, NV 89301) on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 1:00-2:00 p.m..
In lieu of gifts, please consider donating to ELDERABUSE.org, which is dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of the elderly and other vulnerable populations.