Steven Craig Johnston, 72, of Helena, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 28, 2024, after a long and brave battle against cancer.  Steve was born in St. Paul, MN on May 19, 1951 to Claries Leonard Johnston and Alice Lou Franklin-Johnston.  He was the baby of the family and came into this world fighting as a tiny 3-pounder.  Steve graduated from Washington High School and went on to earn his bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota (Ski-U-Mah!).  Steve met his first wife, Peggy, and they married in 1971.  They were blessed with two sons, Ben and Adam, whom they raised in Montana.  After moving to Helena, Steve married his sweetheart Tracy in 1997, adding two daughters as they blended their families together.  Steve and Tracy had many adventures together, sharing a love of camping, canoeing, and tropical travel destinations.

Steve grew up with a love of the outdoors, hunting ducks with his dad, and dedicated much of his life to the Boy Scouts.  A scout himself, Steve remained involved with the Boy Scouts (Order of the Arrow, Silver Beaver awards) and proudly watched both his sons become Eagle Scouts.  Steve was also a Master Mason and Past Master of Morningstar Lodge #5 in Helena, MT; a member of the Scottish Rite; and a Shriner in the Al-Bedoo Shrine.  He proudly held the license plate 2B1ASK1 for years.

When Steve was passionate about something, it was obvious.  He would excitedly narrate the ongoing NASCAR race, explain the latest breaking story from Fox News, and cheer on his favorite hockey teams, attending every Helena Bighorns game he could.  Steve loved his country, and was excited to share history and current events with everyone.  His family often teased him that he should have been a history teacher!  He was meticulous and dedicated at work and he instilled these values in his kids and grandkids.  Steve loved dogs, most especially his sweet girl, Ely, and his good boy, Coleman.  Steve was quick to put everyone before himself, often saying, "I don't have to look very far to find someone who is having a harder time than me", even as he battled aggressive cancer.

Family was everything to Steve, and he showed his love by the million acts of service he poured out to the people in his life: building decks and furniture for his kids; planning the perfectly orchestrated multi-family annual canoe trip; attending graduations, performances, and games.  Steve loved to cook, designing elaborate menus for weekend guests, making special birthday dinners (his world-famous enchiladas!), just-because cakes, and well-planned feasts and cast-iron desserts on family camping trips.

Steve's passion for the outdoors is carried on by his children and grandchildren – a love for camping, canoeing, hunting, backpacking and conservation.  He introduced his family and special friends to weeklong canoeing trips into the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, where he grew up.  His ingenuity in the backcountry was inspiring, creating gourmet meals from dried food and building makeshift saunas to soothe tired muscles.  Steve deeply cared about creating special experiences for others.

Steve is survived by his loving bride, Tracy; his sons: Ben (wife, Jessica; grandchildren Ellie and Zane) and Adam (wife, Jessica; grandchildren Colton and Steven); his daughters: Amy (grandchildren Davis, Chance, Kaylee and Bella) and Destiny (fiancé Matt; grandchildren Jordan, Ashley, Dawson, Riley and Ryeann; great-grandson Jaxton); sister, Sandra; sister-in-law, Shelli (nieces Anna and Sara (Terry)); and special friends Dave and Jeannie Peterson; as well as many more family and friends too numerous to count, including his "family" at Mini Mart and Lowe's.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerry, his cousin ("brother") Jeff, and his infant sister.

As Steve's cancer became more aggressive, he was quick to remark that he was not afraid and that he knew where he was going.  Steve wanted everyone in his life to know and accept Jesus as their Savior, and shared the following verse with his family just weeks before he returned to his heavenly home:

"In my Father's house are many mansions; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  (John 14:2-6)

Services will be held Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Simple Cremation Montana, 315 E 6th Ave, Helena.  Steve requested that everyone wear Hawaiian shirts or bright colors.

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family