James William Johnsen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James (Jim) William Johnsen was born to Aksel and Helen Johnsen on November 1,1934 in Chicago, Illinois. He spent several years there before moving to Rochester, Minnesota. He was five years old when he asked Jesus to be his Savior and was baptized at Palmcroft Baptist Church. In 1944 he moved to Phoenix, Arizona and attended Garfield grade school. He graduated from Phoenix Christian High in 1953. He attended Moody Bible Institute before serving for two years in the U.S. Air Force at Clark Air Force base in the Philippines. He moved to Nebraska in 1961 and lived in Lincoln until he moved to Elkhorn and met the love of his life Lynnda. He came over to fix her Christmas lights and they had their first kiss under the mistletoe. This was the start of a beautiful love story that lasted fifty years. They got married and moved to Valley. Together they raised four children, Dee, Julie, Lisa and John. They all loved spending time together and went on many trips and adventures as a family. He loved telling stories and he made friends everywhere he went. He would even come out of a rest area bathroom with a new friend. Jim’s and Lynnda’s favorite places to visit were Alaska and Padre Island, Texas. Jim loved to sing, he truly had a song in his heart, at one time he was a song leader and sang in the choir. He also helped with the Awana program and the Awana Olympics for several years. Jim worked at Fruehauf Trailer Corporation for over thirty years. In his retirement he enjoyed being with all of his grandchildren Cornelia, Peter, Christopher, Jonathan, Deeanna, Trent and Isabelle. He was thrilled anytime that he got to take care of them. "Bumpa" loved fishing with his grandkids and enjoyed giving them snacks. He was so happy and very proud that many of them chose to play an instrument in school. He loved attending any event of theirs that he could. The two things that he was most passionate about in his life were his love for Jesus Christ and his love for his family. He was never shy about telling any of his family just how much he loved them. He was proceeded in death by his parents Aksel and Helen Johnsen. He is survived by his loving wife Lynnda Johnsen of Valley Ne, his devoted children Dee (Harley) Moos of Ashland, Ne; Julie (Kelly) Johnson of Malmo, Ne; Lisa (Thom) Schmit of Wuxi, China, and John (K.C.) Johnsen of Fremont, Ne and by his precious grandchildren Cornelia and Peter Schmit , Christopher, Jonathan, Deeanna and Isabelle Johnson and Trent Johnsen. He is also survived by his loyal German Shepherd Buddy. Though we all miss him terribly we know as he had told us many times, "I love Jesus, I believe that He died on the cross to save me from my sins ,I have asked for forgiveness and I have accepted the free gift of His salvation. I’m ready to go home whenever he calls me." Jim went home to be with his Heavenly Father on January 22,2022 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. What a homecoming that must have been! A service for Jim Johnsen will be held on February 7, 2022 at 10:00am at the Fremont Alliance Church 1615 North Lincoln Ave. Fremont, Nebraska.

James William Johnsen

November 1, 1934 - January 22, 2022