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Reva Johannsen Obituary
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.
For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Reva Johannsen
4 Entries
August 4, 2018
Reva was my Mom's (Aline) neighbor at Brandon Woods - we so enjoyed your Mom - she was so sweet and so kind to everyone. Reva and Mom so enjoyed their gardens, flowers and trees in their shared backyards. They would sit out together on their shared driveway bench all dressed up waiting for the Brandon Woods bus to take them to outings. My husband and I enjoyed taking the two of them to some KU football games - they really enjoyed it and were the best little cheerleaders. After our Mom passed I would sometimes walk our dogs past the cul de sac of their duplex and Reva would always come out with a smile on her face and say hello and ask how we were doing. Reva was a very lovely lady and our family thought the world of her! We are sorry for your loss but know that you have many loving memories of her.
Karleen & LG Noller - Lori TenPas Lawrence, Ks
Janet Meier
August 1, 2018
We met your mother through a mutual friend, Ralph Dennis. Your mother meant so much to us as a guest in our home, as hostess in her home or being in the same group elsewhere. She was very gracious to us and a genuine Christian lady. We will pray for your comfort. Fred and Janet Meier, Olathe
Betsy Williams Russell
July 30, 2018
Rodney, Norman, Nolan, Nancy,
My sincere sympathy in the loss of your Mother. She will be greatly missed.
When I would see Reva at Brandon Woods, she always had a special way of brightening my day. Sometimes I would show her a quilt or craft project and we would laugh about me bringing "show-and-tell" (also known as "drag-&-brag").
My Mother, Virginia Williams, enjoyed teaching with Reva at Deerfield School for many years. I remember mom coming home from school one day and telling us that Reva surprised all the teachers by using her "regular voice". They had only heard her speak in her "teacher voice" for several years. Such a fun memory.
God bless.
Fred & Linda Shirk
July 30, 2018
What a loving lady to call friend. Charley and several of us coffee drinkers would stop at Perkins on our way home from work, Reva would walk there from there home on Barker St and do school homework, then ride home with Charley, this was 30-35 years ago, R.I.P dear lady.
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Warren-McElwain Mortuary & Cremation Services - Lawrence Chapel120 W 13th St, Lawrence, KS 66044
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