Reva M. Johannsen
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Funeral services for Reva M. Johannsen, 92, Lawrence will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, August 2, 2018 at First Christian Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. She passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.
Reva was born January 3, 1926 in Parsons, KS, the daughter of Ray and Thelma (Easley) Willson. She was raised on a dairy farm. Reva graduated from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma and met Charles at Pittsburg State College.
She married Charles P. Johannsen on September 24, 1950 in Parsons, KS. The family moved to Lawrence in 1954. He preceded her in death on December 13, 1998.
Reva was a substitute teacher that then led into becoming a beloved third grade teacher at Deerfield Elementary School for 19 years. Previously she typed numerous Kansas University students’ term papers and theses. She was involved in her boys’ cub scouts as a den mother.
After 48 years of living on Barker Avenue, she moved to the Brandon Woods Retirement Community in 2001.
Survivors include her children; Rodney (Lynn) Johannsen, Norman (Carolyn) Johannsen, Nolan (Genevieve) Johannsen, Nancy (Edward) Janke, ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Dale B. and Kenneth Ray Willson and sister, Wanda Smith.
Reva found such great joy in loving and serving her family and she will be dearly missed.
The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at the mortuary.
Memorial Contributions may be made in her name to First Christian Church in Lawrence and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
We moved into our Town Home at Brandon Woods on the same day as Reva. We shared so many good times together! She was a dear friend! Alice Jo and Stanley DeFries
I am so sorry to hear of your mom ‘s death. The years of adventures on Barker were often like an episode of Leave it to Beaver. We had such fun! Your mom always had such a sunny attitude. She will be missed.
Reva was my mentor, my friend, my colleague, and a “Grandma Reva” to my girls. She was a grand lady. She left a legacy of touching many lives as a teacher at Deerfield. I was honored to teach along side her for many years, and we shared the joys and struggles of teaching together….all while polishing off a full pot of coffee between us each morning. At home in her kitchen….she could bake a pie like nobody’s business…..and made pies for me many years on my birthday. She was an amazing woman…..surviving pancreatic cancer….and living many more years to spread her special smile. Reva….you will be missed! Love you!
Our Sincere Sympathy to the Johannsen Family. Reva was a good friend we have
known her for many years. We enjoyed a lot of Brandon Woods Activities with
Reva. We ate with her at Brandon Woods on her 92 Birthday. We will miss her.
Dareld and Martha Albright
We were so sorry to hear the sad news about Reva. She was a sweet woman with a ready smile, and she is already missed at First Christian Church. We were blessed to have known her and to have called her our friend. Our sincere condolences to her family.
Linda and Fred
I have known the Willson family in Parsons all my life. They were truly a great family. Reva’s parents, Ray and Thelma and her brother, Dale, were the folks we knew the best. What a blessing to have known them through these years. Reva was always so gracious when our funeral home was serving members of her family.
Aunt Reva and Uncle Charlie were so dear to me and to everyone in our family. I have so many wonderful memories from fun times at their house with all the cousins to the infamous family canoe trips. I mostly remember her joyous spirit, smile and her enthusiasm for KU basketball! Sending love to family and friends. “Janie”
My dear Aunt Reva will be so greatly missed by us all. She was such a beautiful person, inside and out. A true Christian in every aspect of the word. She raised a wonderful family, and was the real-life June Cleaver of “Leave it to Beaver.” When I was little, Aunt Reva and I would laugh as she would play games, like Ring Around The Rosie,” with me. She leaves us with a heavy heart, but wonderful happy memories. Although so sad in our losing her, we know she is now happily home with the Lord. We are right behind her, she just arrived there before us. We are looking forward to our happy reunion celebration someday with her, and all of our other dear loved ones. Niece Glori Platzer, and family (Jeff, Jeanette, Ryan, Austin, and Zoey.)
Rodney, Nolan, Norman, and Nancy and families: We are so sorry to learn of your mom’s passing today while visiting with one of mom’s (Sue Forbes) neighbors. We always loved our trips to Lawrence and attending church because we knew Reva would always be there with a smile and warm greeting! She was a great friend to mom! And remembering those camping trips from many moons ago with our families together! So fun! Please know that we are praying for your families and she will be missed by many!
Doug and Laurie Forbes Sawyer