Donald (Joey) Johannsen lost his yearlong battle with cancer on June 29, 2008, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fargo, N.D.
He was born on March 18, 1927, in Freeborn County. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943, his junior year of high school, and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was stationed in Occupied Japan after the war and was also one of the servicemen to witness the atomic testing in the Nevada desert. He served in the reserve until the Korean Conflict in 1951, at which time he returned to active duty and served as a tank commander.
He and Audrey Davis were married on July 17, 1955. They owned and operated the ABC Bowling Alley in Albert Lea for a number of years then operated the Town Club Bowling Alley until they moved to Federal Dam. They owned the “Best Little Bar by a Dam Site” liquor store for many years and where he also worked as a Soo Line “gandy-dancer” (section lineman).
He loved hunting and fishing, especially duck and goose hunting. He enjoyed cutting his own firewood for many years because he loved being out in the woods. He always said, “Who needs a church when you have this.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Audrey Johannsen; his father- and mother-in-law, William and Lida Davis; a daughter, Caron; a brother Doran Johannsen; a sister-in-law Jan Johannsen; and a niece, Tammi Johannsen.
He is survived by his wife, Audrey; three daughters, Chris Gambino, Carol Schnell and Julie (Jim) Sobolik; seven grandchildren, Joshua Schnell, Alison (Dustin) Hayes, Amanda (Nick) Mason, Amie Sobolik, Aundria Sobolik, James Sobolik Jr., John Sobolik; one great-grandchild, Christian Hayes; a brother, Darroll (Pat) Johannsen; a special friend, Dawn Grimes and her family; and many nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers will be his seven grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Federal Dam at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Family visitation will be one hour before the service. Graveside services will be held at Hillcrest Gardens in Albert Lea on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Carroll Funeral Home, Deer River, is handling funeral arrangements.