Val Jean P. Johannsen

Val Jean Paul Johannsen was born September 14, 1927, at Denison, Iowa, the son of Paul and Hertha Johannsen. He died Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of eighty-nine.
Val Jean received his education in the rural schools near his home. He served his country in the United States Army and the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged on March 5, 1954. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Good Conduct Medal. On September 30, 1956, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Quandt at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. The couple settled in Denison and was blessed with the birth of three children.
When he was a young child, his father gave him a toy truck as a gift and from that time forth, Val Jean knew he wanted to be a truck driver. He was employed by LaVerne Boyens at Boyens Trucking in Kiron and the family then moved to Kiron. He later drove truck for World Wide Meats, Melvin Miller, Mid Continent and Farm Service Coop.
In his leisure time, Val Jean enjoyed hunting and fishing and the socializing that went along with those trips. He also enjoyed going to the sale barn, puttering around, playing cards and listening to polka music. He was a very friendly person and could talk to anyone.
Val Jean was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Vernetta, Vera Mae and Viola. Survivors include: two sons, Jeffrey and wife, Lori, and Joel and wife, Melissa; one daughter, Jenelle and husband, Brian; four grandchildren, Calli Jean, Shauntelle and husband Jeramie, Tory and Dylan; special friend, Jean; other relatives and friends.