Wayne Eugene Johnsen (1926 - 2010)

Born 24 Feb 1926 in Laurel, Cedar, Nebraska, USA

Ancestors

Died 8 Dec 2010 at age 84 in Rapid City, Pennington, South Dakota, USA

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Biography

Wayne Eugene Johnsen, 84, Rapid City, passed away on Wed., December 8, 2010 at Rapid City Regional Hospice of the Hills.

Wayne was born Feb. 24, 1926 in rural Laurel, Nebraska to George and Julia (Lyons) Johnsen. After graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Navy as Radioman Second Class from Feb. 23, 1944 until March 3, 1947. He married Eleanor K. Krier on Sept. 2, 1950 at Mitchell. He was a supervisor for Northwestern Bell (now Qwest) for over 36 years, retiring in the Fall of 1983. They moved to Rapid City in August of 2006.

He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City; Knights of Columbus at Bella Vista, Arkansas; Telephone Pioneers; American Legion Post 22 of Rapid City; VFW of Winner since 1951; and Past Commander of Knights of Columbus at Winner.

Waynes family was the most important thing in his life; he was a great husband and father. He appreciated his work and long term career with the telephone company. He enjoyed playing a lot of golf and hunting in the Black Hills for many years. He was proud to be on the first Honor Flight out of Rapid City to see the WWII monument in Washington, DC. He also cherished his family reunion over the past Labor Day weekend to celebrate his 60th anniversary with his lovely bride, Eleanor.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Johnsen of Rapid City; four daughters, Sandra (Thomas) Frank of Urbana, Ill., Barbara (Joel) Kusler of Rapid City, Lynne (Daris) Ormesher of Pierre, Brenda (Daniel) Jones of Norfolk, Nebr.; his son, Charles Johnsen of Rapid City; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; his aunt, Berniece Morrissey of Omaha, NE; and numerous cousins.

Wayne was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Valerie Sue Johnsen; his parents; and two brothers, Raymond and Carl Johnsen.

Visitation will be held at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010 from 6-7 pm with a rosary prayer service at 7 pm.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at 10 am at Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City with Fr. Andrzej Wyrostek as celebrant.

Inurnment will follow at 1:30pm at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with military honors by VFW Post 1273 of Rapid City and the SD Army National Guard.

A memorial has been established to the RCRH Hospice House and WWII Honor Flight. Friends may sign Waynes online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.

Sources

• https://www.kirkfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=352682