Kenneth Willard Johansen

KENNETH WILLARD JOHANSEN, age 92, of Waseca died on February 8, 2023, at Colony Court in Waseca.

Born on September 29, 1930, in Waseca to Axel and Thora (Paludan) Johansen. He received his education in Waseca, New Richland, Truman and lastly Janesville High School, graduating with the class of 1948. Ken furthered his education in Georgia at Meat Cutting School. In 1951, Ken was drafted into the United States Army being called to serve in the Korean War until in Honorable Discharge in 1953. On August 29, 1954, Ken was united in marriage to Neoma Hagen at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland.

Ken began working alongside his dad and brother at Johansen Meat Locker in Janesville before purchasing the business which he continued to own and operate until 1982. Ken worked various other jobs in the Madelia area before moving to Green Valley, Arizona where he and Neoma lived for 17 years before retiring and moving back to Minnesota. Together they spent their retirement years in New Richland and later in Janesville. Ken loved to hunt and fish, bowling, following his grandchildren’s activities, and especially visiting with friends. He was active in the Janesville community throughout his life where he was a member of the Janesville Fire Department, School Board, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, and 40/8. Ken was also a founding member of Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville.

Ken is survived by his wife of 68 years, Neoma of New Richland; children: Jodelle Hess of Seattle, WA, Kris (Shannon) Moore, OK, Janalee (Greg) Jacobson of Waseca, and Jeralyn (Steve) Price of Littleton, CO; 10 grandchildren: Brady Hess, Kypp (Tami) Hess, Joshua (Katrina) Jacobson, Zachary (Ashley) Jacobson, Kaleb (Brandy) Jacobson, Krisha Johansen, Jacob (Tiffany) Johansen, Keenan (Bekah) Johansen, Mackenzie Price, and Liam Price; 10 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents; son, Kevin (Karen) Johansen; daughter-in-law, Nancy Johansen; son-in-law, Steve Hess, siblings: Francis Burner, Virgil Johansen, Sylvia Stocker, Irene Meyers, and Leo Johansen.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville. Interment will be in Woodville Cemetery on a later date. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.