Obituaries: John Johannessen (June 3 1933 – Feb. 22, 2011)

John Johannessen was born June 3, 1933, in Lassa, Nigeria to missionary parents, Kaare and Mathilda (Matti) Johannessen.  He passed from this world to be with Jesus on Feb. 22, 2011, in Burney, Calif., where he fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

John’s early childhood was spent with his siblings in Africa and they returned to Oslo, Norway, in 1940. They endured WWII  and their parents moved to Southern California in 1951. John followed his parents in 1952 after he finished school. He was soon drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War and became a U.S. citizen while he served our country. He had a great love of the United States and remained here the rest of his days although he always loved his legacy of being a Viking. 

After returning from the army, John followed his family and moved to Northern California, living in Redding, Eureka, McKinleyville, Hawaii and Crescent City at various times. During his life he had many occupations including, a 2-way radio company, driving ambulance, ranching, and biomedical engineering. He earned his teaching degree at UC Berkeley and taught at College of the Redwoods. He worked for Mad River Hospital as an assistant administrator. Later he tried his hand at commercial fishing. He finally retired after serving several years in the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office. 

John met Chris in Arcata and fell in love.  They married August 8, 1981. They shared many hobbies including hiking, fishing, boating, airplanes, motorcycles, and the mountain man festivals. He loved life and loved people and serving his community. It was often said that he never met a stranger. He was  active in Rotary for many years and a member of the Elks for 48 yrs.

He loved the Lord and was active in his local church, served as chaplain in the Elks Club, and was the chaplain for Seaman’s Chapel in Crescent City. During this time he performed many weddings, and officiated at memorial services for the fishermen and families of Del Norte County.  

John was preceded in death by his mother Mathilda, his step-mother Karen and his father Kaare Johannessen. He is survived by his wife Christine Johannessen, his step mother Helen Johannessen, his brother Maurice Johannessen and wife Marianne and family;  his sister Edel Miller and husband Gary and family; his sister Karin Edmondson and her husband John and family; his son Jeff Johannessen and wife Char and family; his son Erik Johannessen and his wife Donna and family; his son Sean Johannessen, his daughter Heather Johannessen, his step-son Damian Carmesin and family, and step-daughter Tina King and husband Terry and family.

He is also survived by and dearly loved his 11 grandchildren Spring Wootten, Tara LaCasse, Kyra Johannessen, Justin Johannessen, Jake Johannessen, Derek Carmesin, Ayashe Padon, Kaleb Carmesin, Melanie Carmesin, Taylor-Jay King and Tanner King, and three great-grandchildren Miracle Wootten, James Wootten, and Landon Carmesin, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

Services will be held Friday March 4, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery 11800 Gas Point Road, Igo, Calif., in the chapel. There will be an escorted motorcade from Allen and Dahl Mortuary in Anderson beginning at 1 p.m. for all who wish to join us. A potluck Celebration of Life will  follow the services  at the Westside Church 8780 Swasey Drive, Redding, Calif., (241-1450). Please bring a favorite dish to share.

 In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to: Northern California Veterans Cemetery and Chapel; Westside Church; or the Alzheimer’s Association.

— Submitted by Family