Darwin E Johnsen

In Memory OfDarwin E. JohnsenDarwin Earl Johnsen was born on a farm north of Cordova, Nebraska on September 17, 1929 to Lawrence and Vergie (Beldin) Johnsen, the youngest of five children and died on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Rosebrook Care Center in Edgar at the age of 79 years 8 months and 16 days. As a young boy he attended school in the Cordova area until his family moved to Lincoln, NE where he graduated with the Class of 1947 from Lincoln High School. Darwin enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on July 19, 1947, served 18 months in the Philippines and six months in Japan. He served his last 24 months at Wright-Patterson Air Base in Ohio and was discharged in 1951. After his discharge he returned to Nebraska where he was employed 34 years with Burlington Northern Railroad as an engineer. After his retirement, Darwin often did handyman jobs for friends and neighbors and especially he enjoyed making cedar chests for his family. He was a member of the VFW in Lincoln and a former member of the American Legion. He was united in marriage to JoAnn Shreve on September 11, 1972 at Las Vegas, NV. Darwin was always full of fun, loved to tell jokes and play jokes on other people. He loved to go fishing in his spare time however his number one enjoyment was working in his garden and yard raising both flowers and vegetables. Darwin is survived by his wife, JoAnn Johnsen, Edgar, NE, sons and daughter-in-law, Gary Johnsen, Lincoln, Larry and Dawn Johnsen, Sioux Falls, SD, daughter and son-in-law, Vergie and Darryl Cyr, Martell, step-daughter and spouse, Nancy and Ronald Steeves, Lincoln, step-son, Joe Shreve, Edgar, step-daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Doug Huffaker, Clay Center, many grandchildren and step-grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, brother, Donald Johnsen, Lincoln, sister, June Linke, Syracuse, many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Norma Johnsen, sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Harry Mogensen, step-son, Scott Shreve, daughter-in-law, Lee Johnsen, sister-in-law, Dorothy Johnsen, brother-in-law, Karl Linke.A Graveside Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2009, at Zastrow Cemetery, Cordova, with Rev. Michael Curd officiating. Interment is in the Zastrow Cemetery, Cordova. Military Graveside service will be conducted by the Cordova American Legion. Visitation will be at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Milford on Thursday from 2-8 pm and on Friday from 9am-noon. Memorials have been established and are directed in care of the family.