Robert "Willard" Johansen

1922 - 2009  (87 years)

• Name	Robert "Willard" Johansen  [1]
  Nickname	Willard
  Birth	9 Jul 1922	Friend, Saline County, Nebraska   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Death	23 Jul 2009	Friend, Saline County, Nebraska   [1]
  Notes	Robert "Willard" Johansen, the youngest son of Fred and Marie (Dorffler) Johansen was born on July 9, 1922 on the family farm north of Friend, Nebraska. He died on Thursday, July 23, 2009 in his home at the age of 87 years and 14 days. As a young boy he attended country School District #23 and graduated from Friend High School with the class of 1939. Following in the footsteps of his brothers Oliver and Floyd, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served in WWII. He was stationed on the island of Guam, intercepting Japanese radio messages. While serving his country he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. His unit was given a commendation from Admiral Nimitz for their contribution to the war effort. Willard was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marjorie Motis, on June 4, 1950 in Friend at the Congregational Church. To this union, two daughters, Jacqueline Marie and Linda Rae, and a son, Paul Willard were born. Willard worked for a time at the Friend grain elevator before returning to the family farm where he and his family lived and worked until 1972. After leaving the farm he returned to the elevator as a bookkeeper until his retirement in 1984. Willard was baptized at St. John's Lutheran church in Cordova then later became a member of the United Church of Christ for 79 years where he sang in the choir, men's quartet and served on the council. He was a member of Friend American Legion Ford Banka Post #183 for 64 years and long-time participant on the firing squad. Willard was a school board member and president, member and Master of the Friend Grange, and a charter member of the Friend Country Club. Willard was especially proud when he and Marge were presented with Friend's Lifetime Citizen Award in 2008. Another highlight of his life was when he and Floyd went on the Heartland Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial. Willard enjoyed golfing, bowling, attending Husker football games, attending his grandchildren's events, feeding and watching birds and playing cards with friends. Most of all he enjoyed his family and was a caring and giving person who will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife Marge, Friend, his daughters and sons-in-law Jacqueline and Randall Strauss of Lincoln, NE; Linda and Donald Dupree of Scottsdale, AZ; son and daughter-in-law Paul and Carol Johansen, Friend; six grandchildren, Megan and Tyler Heidtbrink of Bee, NE; Eric Strauss of Yuma, CO; Jacob and Michelle Dupree of Scottsdale, AZ; Chelsea-Jo and Dustin Johansen of Friend, NE; great-grandson Braeden Strauss, Yuma, CO; brother and sister-in-law Floyd and Vicky Johansen, Friend, NE; sister-in-law Goldie Quinn, Lincoln, NE; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Eddie and Ruth Motis, Lakewales, FL; step-sister-in-law, Katherine Ratliff; Spokane, WA, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, Lila Johansen; parents-in-law, Edmen and Alice Motis; infant sister, Eleanor Johansen, brother and sister-in-law Oliver and Ella Mae Johansen; step-brother Dale Ratliff, step-sister and brother-in-law, Lila Mae and Al Janosik; brother-in-law Grant Quinn. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2009 at the Friend United Church of Christ with Revs. Tim and Ginny Adams officiating. Interment is in the Andrew Cemetery with Military Services conducted by the Friend American Legion Post #183. Visitation will be from 2-9 pm, Sunday, July 26 at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend. Memorials have been established to the church or to the Friend American Legion Post #183. Shirley Milton, organist accompanied the church choir as they sang "Footprints In The Sand" and "Amazing Grace". Paul Ramp accompanied the choir on his trumpet while they sang "Amazing Grace". Shirley also accompanied Raymond Gifford, vocalist, as he sang "Beyond The Sunset". The pallbearers were Willard's grandchildren, Megan Heidtbrink, Eric Strauss, Jacob Dupree, Michelle Dupree, Chelsea-Jo Johansen, Dustin Johansen and Tyler Heidtbrink. (Courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy, from Lauber-Moore Funeral Homes website)
  Person ID	I34463	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	17 Aug 2014

  
  

  Family	Living
  Family ID	F10901	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	26 Jul 2009

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 9 Jul 1922 - Friend, Saline County, Nebraska Death - 23 Jul 2009 - Friend, Saline County, Nebraska  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Sources

  [S548] Belohlavy, Dennis (belohdb@windstream.net) "Family Tree of Dennis L. and Rebecca J. "Becky" (Arnold) Belohlavy ; http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=belohlavy, (http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=belohlavy).