James Rodney Johansen

James Rodney Johansen, 90, of Fergus Falls, died October 31, 2018, at Lake Region HealthCare in Fergus Falls.

James (Jim) Johansen was born in rural Underwood, Minnesota to Hardy and Lillian (Johnsen) Johansen on February 11, 1928. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served two years in Yokosuka, Japan in charge of the base motor pool. After being honorably discharged, Jim graduated from Hansen’s Mechanical in Fargo, North Dakota and worked as an auto mechanic in the Fargo/Moorhead area, Alexandria, Pelican Rapids, and Moorhead State University. He retired from Moorhead State University in 1988 after 20 years of employment.

Jim married Elna Grace Halmrast in February 1951 and they had five children who survived to adulthood.

Jim loved to fish and hunt, and relished being outdoors. He also enjoyed gardening, coin collecting and reading.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Deanna Johansen; grandson, Jeremy Malingen; siblings, Leona and Monnie Hanson, Elaine Montz, Mervin and Delores Johansen, Ray Johansen, and Neal Johansen; son-in-law, Cletus Brown.

He is survived by his children, Kathryn Carver of Mesa, Arizona; Joy (Dan) Weisgerber of San Tan Valley, Arizona; Lois (Joe) King of Pleasant View, Tennessee; Paul (Joy) Johansen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Dean Johansen of Mandan, North Dakota; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; siblings, Marcella (Phil) Sundberg and Richard Johansen; sister-in-law, Doris Johansen.

He is also survived by former wife, Pat Johansen of Fergus Falls and her family; children, Cassandra (Tim) Lien of Barnesville, Minnesota; Mary (Frank) Kara of Barnesville, Minnesota; and Theresa (Calvin) Cooley of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel, Fergus Falls, MN.
Clergy: Reverend John Kilde
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls