Rugby, North Dakota – It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Twyla Jane Johnson, a cherished member of the Rugby community, who died on August 11, 2024, at the age of 54. Twyla passed away at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, surrounded by her loved ones.
Born on October 18, 1969, in Rugby, North Dakota, Twyla was the daughter of Curtis and Patricia Knight. She grew up in Glasgow, excelling in academics and athletics, participating in volleyball, basketball, and track. Twyla’s love for photography, inspired by her father, was a passion she carried throughout her life. She pursued higher education at the University of Montana, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish in May 1991. Her academic journey included a transformative six-month program in Spain and an adventurous month of backpacking across Europe with her mother.
In 1992, Twyla met Todd Johnson in Missoula, Montana. The couple married in 1995 and settled in Seeley Lake, where Twyla spent nearly three decades as the Business Manager of Clearwater Montana Properties. Her dedication to community service was evident in her involvement with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Community Medical Center Board. She was also an active member of the Montana Association of Realtors.
Twyla was deeply devoted to her family, particularly her children, Sidny and Chance, who were the center of her world. Her final thoughts were of the immense love she had for them. Beyond her family, Twyla was a fervent supporter of the Montana Grizzlies and enjoyed traveling, cooking, and spending time at the beach.
Twyla is survived by her husband, Todd Johnson; her children, Sidny Johnson of Billings and Chance Johnson of Missoula; her sister, Rhonda Knudsen of Seattle; and her mother, Patricia Knudsen, and step-father, Carl Knudsen, both of Billings. She was preceded in death by her father, Curtis Knight, and her sister, Carla Knudsen.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Community Hall in Seeley Lake on September 8, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to honor Twyla’s remarkable life and the lasting legacy she leaves behind. Twyla will be remembered for her vibrant spirit, her love for her family, and the many lives she touched with her kindness and warmth. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.