Arnold Johansen Obituary
Arnold “Arnie” Johansen, 93, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2022 surrounded by his beloved family. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 11th at 3 p.m. in the Donna Reed Theater at Woodlands Creek Sr. Living Community. The service will be livestreamed on the Iles website. Go to IlesCares.com and scroll to the bottom at 2:45pm Wednesday and scroll to the bottom of Arnie's obituary to join in the service.
Arnie loved being the oldest person he knew and lived a full and happy life. He was born on January 19, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York to Arnt and Barget Johansen. As a child he loved living in the city, summering on the ocean in Staten Island, and getting into a little trouble with his friends. After high school, he followed a friend to Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa where he met the love of his life, Willa Mae Bauge. They were married on September 5, 1951, while on furlough from the Korean War, and spent the next 65 years building their lives together. In 1960, they moved to Urbandale where they raised their two sons, Craig and Curt.
Arnie worked for 40 years at Little Giant Crane and Shovel as a transportation manager. He was an active member of many affiliations. He was a 50 plus year member of Capital Lodge 110 of Des Moines, a subordinate lodge of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, a 32nd degree Mason of the Iowa Scottish Rite, a longtime member and commander of the VFW Local 9662, and a member of the Urbandale Lions Club and High 12 Club.
Arnie loved to be active and spend time with his family. He could often be found running his grandkids to their activities, attending sporting events, recitals, and family gatherings, participating in his many clubs and groups, and acting as the surrogate “grand-friend”. Arnie and Willy spent a great deal of time traveling, going to visit his siblings and nieces in New York and Florida, as well as various trips abroad. He loved to woodwork and craft, making many Christmas and holiday crafts for family and friends. He was an active member of Woodlands Creek Sr. Living Community. There he enjoyed regular social hours and a variety of activities with his many friends.
Arnie is survived by his sons Craig (Diane) Johansen of Urbandale, Curt (Kathy) Johansen of Des Moines; four grandchildren Nicole, Casey, Cory, and Cody; and 3 great grandchildren Cody Jr, Owen, and Cessily. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Willa Mae, sister Solveig, and brother Roy.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 10, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Iles Westover Chapel. Private interment will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Unity Point Hospice. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.
ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES WESTOVER CHAPEL
Arnie loved being the oldest person he knew and lived a full and happy life. He was born on January 19, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York to Arnt and Barget Johansen. As a child he loved living in the city, summering on the ocean in Staten Island, and getting into a little trouble with his friends. After high school, he followed a friend to Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa where he met the love of his life, Willa Mae Bauge. They were married on September 5, 1951, while on furlough from the Korean War, and spent the next 65 years building their lives together. In 1960, they moved to Urbandale where they raised their two sons, Craig and Curt.
Arnie worked for 40 years at Little Giant Crane and Shovel as a transportation manager. He was an active member of many affiliations. He was a 50 plus year member of Capital Lodge 110 of Des Moines, a subordinate lodge of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, a 32nd degree Mason of the Iowa Scottish Rite, a longtime member and commander of the VFW Local 9662, and a member of the Urbandale Lions Club and High 12 Club.
Arnie loved to be active and spend time with his family. He could often be found running his grandkids to their activities, attending sporting events, recitals, and family gatherings, participating in his many clubs and groups, and acting as the surrogate “grand-friend”. Arnie and Willy spent a great deal of time traveling, going to visit his siblings and nieces in New York and Florida, as well as various trips abroad. He loved to woodwork and craft, making many Christmas and holiday crafts for family and friends. He was an active member of Woodlands Creek Sr. Living Community. There he enjoyed regular social hours and a variety of activities with his many friends.
Arnie is survived by his sons Craig (Diane) Johansen of Urbandale, Curt (Kathy) Johansen of Des Moines; four grandchildren Nicole, Casey, Cory, and Cody; and 3 great grandchildren Cody Jr, Owen, and Cessily. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Willa Mae, sister Solveig, and brother Roy.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 10, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Iles Westover Chapel. Private interment will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Unity Point Hospice. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.
ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES WESTOVER CHAPEL
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Events
Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Arnold Johansen.