Vera Jane “Vicky” Johansen
Feb. 10, 1928 - April 16, 2015
Vera Jane “Vicky” Johansen, 87, of Friend was born on Feb. 10, 1928 in Lovilia, Iowa, to Fred and Helen (Gaass) Dekker, the first of four children, and died on Thursday, April 16, 2015, at Emeritus Heartland Park in Seward at the age of 87 years two months and six days.
The family moved to Pella, Iowa, before she was one year old. Vicky attended grade school in Pella through the 8th grade and then the family moved to Bellevue in August 1942 because her dad got a job in the bomber plant where they built B-29s. She attended Bellevue High School.
Vicky was united in marriage to Robert James Milton on June 13, 1945, and after he returned from the service they moved to Friend. Two children, Richard Lee and Barbara Diane, were born to this marriage. Their marriage ended in 1964 and Vicky completed her high school education in 1967 in Lincoln, getting her diploma the same year as her daughter.
On Jan. 1, 1968, she was blessed with a second marriage to Floyd Richard Johansen in Bellevue. Vicky was able to fulfill a long-time dream where she designed and drew the plans for a new home, which they built and moved into in November 1975. They spent many happy years in that house, where they lived until Vicky’s health began to fail, and in November 2014 they moved to Heartland Park in Seward.
Vicky was a member of the United Church of Christ, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 183, both of Friend. Vicky also enjoyed participating in a weekly Bible study group.
As a young woman, she was very active in Auxiliary and civic affairs, serving on the election board, helping with the bond drive for the swimming pool, fund raisers for the March of Dimes, 4th of July celebrations at the park, and working with the stage committee for the Friend Centennial celebration. In her spare time, she enjoyed working crossword puzzles and playing scrabble. She was an avid reader and spent many hours in the Gilbert Library.
From 1999 through October 2003, Vicky worked as a hospice volunteer. While working with these families, she had the opportunity to share her faith with others. The thing she cherished most was taking care of and being with her family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Floyd, Seward; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Van Springer, Seward; daughter-in-law, Sandy Milton, Grand Island; six grand-children and spouses, Chad and Gaynelle Springer, Wichita, Kansas; Kristi Jo and Daren Mitchell, Denver, Colorado; Trent and Andrea Springer, Seward; Erin, Rikki and Kasey Milton, all of Grand Island; nine great-grandchildren, Tyson, Carter, Riley, Caden and Luke Springer, Alex Mitchell and his wife Shelby, Linden, Kyla and Jared Mitchell, brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Jeri Dekker, Lyons Nancy Dekker, Mobridge, South Dakota; sisters-in-law, Dolores Dekker, Bellevue; Marjorie Johansen, Friend; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Vicky was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Richard; two brothers, Robert and Dave Dekker; two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Oliver & Ella Mae Johansen and Willard Johansen.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m., on Monday, April 20, 2015, at the Friend United Church of Christ with Rev. Kenneth Leischner officiating. Interment will be in Andrew Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the church.
Shirley Milton, organist accompanied Paul Ramp, vocalist, as he sang “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer,” “I heard the Voice of Jesus Say”and the congregational hymn “Open My Eyes That I May See.”
Pallbearers were Chad, Caden, Trent and Tyson Springer, Daren Mitchell, Eric Strauss, Paul Johansen and Doug Dekker. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend. Condolences may be sent to the family at laubermoore.com.
