Gordon Johannesen

Gordon Johannesen, age 85, of Alta, Iowa passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018. A Celebration of Gord's life will be 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. Gordon Leroy Johannesen was born May 28, 1932 to Walter (Toots) and Irene (Nam) Johannesen. He graduated from Alta High School in 1950 and served heroically on the front lines during the Korean War. He married Karen Stille in November of 1957 and for the next 60 years they lived within one mile of the home where he grew up. They attended the United Methodist Church in Alta. Gordy farmed from an early age and many of those years were spent alongside Toots, his brother Don and nephew Greg. He had a love of farming, was a fanatic for straight rows and even after retirement enjoyed getting out and helping JC in the fields. He worked hard and played just as hard. Fishing trips to Canada with Nam and Toots, Don and Carol and the families were one of his favorites and nothing could beat the nightly fish fries. No matter what, Nam always seemed to catch the biggest fish. Another of his favorite ways to play was to spend evenings and weekends with his family boating and skiing. Anyone who wanted to learn the sport would likely have success if Gordy was instructing. The boating tradition continued with his grandkids. He could easily dump them off the tube whenever they deserved it, which evidently was quite often. Throughout the years he and Karen logged many miles watching their kids and grandkids at sporting events. They loved to travel and enjoyed motorhome trips out west with Don and Carol and also visited many places with Gerry and Carolyn Stille. Gordy managed to visit all the states except Alaska. He was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and enjoyed watching them whenever possible. After retirement, he loved to golf; his grandkids and friends were his favorite foursomes. He recorded two holes-in-one and was happy to share one of those with Jeff, who also went along with him on his Honor Flight to Washington DC. Helping others was always at the top of his mind, whether that was scooping snow, cleaning up storm damage or serving at pancake breakfasts while using the griddle that he and Don built. Gord was especially fond of Kiwanis and spent countless hours selling tickets at games and sorting cans alongside his closest friends. Gordy is survived by Karen, Jeff (Jane) Johannesen, Paula DeMartini, Karla (Lyle) Jeffries, eight grandchildren, two great grandsons, Gerry and Carolyn Stille, Kay Schmitt and Carol Johannesen. He was preceded in death by Nam & Toots, Marg (Carl) Delbridge, Don Johannesen as well as brothers-in-law Henry (Ellen) Stille, Bob Stille, and Dick Schmitt. Gord, you were a wonderful husband, dad, papa and friend and we will miss you very much.

Gordon Johannesen

May 28, 1932 - May 18, 2018