Johannesen, Gordon Leroy (1932-2018)

JOHANNESEN, STILLE, DEMARTINI, JEFFRIES, SCHMITT, DELBRIDGE

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/5/2018 at 19:21:24

Gordon Johannesen
May 28, 1932 - May 18, 2018

Gordon Johannesen, age 85, of Alta, Iowa, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018.

Gordon Leroy Johannesen was born on May 28, 1932, to Walter (Toots) and Irene (Nam) Johannesen. After graduating from Alta High School in 1950, he served heroically on the front lines during the Korean War. In November of 1957, he married Karen Stille, and for the next sixty years, they lived within one mile of the home where he had grown up. They attended the United Methodist Church in Alta.

Gordy farmed from an early age and spent many of those years alongside his dad, Toots, his brother, Don, and his nephew, Greg. A fanatic for straight rows, he loved farming. Even after retiring, he enjoyed getting out and helping JC in the fields. He worked hard and played just as hard. He loved fishing trips to Canada with Nam and Toots, Don and Carol, and the families. Moreover, nothing could beat the nightly fish fries. No matter what, Nam, always, seemed to catch the biggest fish. He, also, enjoyed spending evenings and weekends boating and skiing with his family. Anyone who wanted to learn the sport would likely have success if Gordy was instructing. He continued this boating tradition with his grandkids and could easily dump them off the tube whenever he thought they deserved it, which, evidently, was quite often.

Throughout the years, he and Karen logged many miles watching their kids and grandkids participating in sporting events. They loved to travel and enjoyed motorhome trips out west with Don and Carol, and they, also, visited many places with Gerry and Carolyn Stille. Gordy managed to visit all the states except Alaska. An avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, he enjoyed watching them whenever possible as well. After retiring, he loved to golf, especially with his grandkids and friends, his favorite foursomes. He recorded two holes-in-one and happily shared one of those with Jeff, who also went along with him on his Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

Gord, always, wanted to help others whether scooping snow, cleaning up storm damage, or serving at pancake breakfasts while using the griddle that he and Don had built. Taking a special liking to the Kiwanis, he spent countless hours selling tickets at games and sorting cans alongside his closest friends.

Gordy is survived by Karen, his wife of sixty-two years; his children: Jeff (Jane) Johannesen, Paula DeMartini, and Karla (Lyle) Jeffries; eight grandchildren; two great grandsons; Gerry and Carolyn Stille, Kay Schmitt, and Carol Johannesen. He was preceded in death by Nam and Toots, Marg (Carl) Delbridge, and Don Johannesen as well as by his brothers-in-law Henry (Ellen), Bob, and Dick Schmitt. Gord, you were a wonderful husband, dad, papa, and friend, and we will miss you very much.

A Celebration of Gord's life will be held at the Alta United Methodist Church on June 2, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. with a visitation immediately preceding the service at 12:30 p.m. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta is in charge of the arrangements.

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes, Alta, Iowa, 2018.

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