JOHNSON

It is with great sadness that we announce that Bernice Lorraine Johnson (née Hoflin) of Drayton Valley, Alberta, a beloved mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the age of 92 years.

Bernice’s life began on August 19, 1932, in Kingman, Alberta, the fifth and youngest child of Mary (née Stefura) and Louis Hoflin.  She was raised alongside her sister, Gladys, and three brothers Percy, Arthur, and Lawrence.  On December 10, 1949, at the age of 17 years, Bernice married Harold Johnson.  They made their final home in Alder Flats, Alberta after living in many towns across Alberta during the course of their married life. 

Bernice was never idle, taking on many roles throughout her life such as a baker, homemaker, farmer, seamstress, reporter, community volunteer, 4-H leader, board member, and Tupperware salesperson.  She loved sports, whether it was participating or watching.  She played ladies fastball, curled, bowled, and later floor curled.  Bernice was also an active volunteer within her community of Alder Flats and Buck Lake, helping organize bonspiels, gathering donations for floor curling bonspiels, and working at the Buck Lake Rodeo, just to name a few of the events that she helped with.  She loved writing about her community and capturing moments on her camera, submitting these articles to the Wetaskiwin Times, Western Review, Rimbey Record, and the Community Voice newspapers.

Bernice is deeply missed and survived by her children Gerry (Cynthia) Johnson, Dexter (Kip) Johnson, Debbie Johnson (Kit Robinson), and Denice (Pat) Murray; as well as her grandchildren Jessica (Arthur) Kupper, Michelle Johnson (Nat Gingerich), Michaela Johnson (Aaron Hare), Joel (Debra) Johnson, Destin Johnson, Kyla (Patrick) Holmes-Sims, Levi Holmes (Charley Johnston), Kyle (Laine) Murray, Justin (Sarah) Murray; and her great-grandchildren Lucas, Annabelle, Harald, Ruth, Henrik, Rylan, Tanner, Dawson, Emelisse, and soon-to-be-born Samuel.  Bernice was predeceased by her husband Harold (2017), son Blayne (2024), grandson Jonathan, and her four siblings. 

A Funeral Service in Celebration of Bernice’s Life will be held at the Breton Community Centre, Breton, Alberta on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., with Pastor Jeff Gooderham officiating.  A Family Interment Service will take place in the Alder Flats Cemetery, Alder Flats.   As Bernice spent her remaining days at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre, if you wish to donate to their Palliative Care Unit in remembrance of Bernice, that would be a blessing.  Donations may be made directly to Palliative Care, c/o the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation, 4550 Madsen Avenue, Drayton Valley, Alberta  T7A 1N8 (www.dvhealthfound.ca).  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.    

Service and Burial Arrangements for the Late Bernice Lorraine Johnson (née Hoflin) entrusted to the care of