ALMETA LOUISE "JoAn" JOHANSEN

Almeta 'JoAn' Louise Johansen, 81 years old, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 7th, 2011, surrounded by family and friends at her residence in Sun Terrace of Prosser.

She was born December 23rd, 1929, Wichita, Kansas, to Marjorie and Emmitt Welch. On July 15, 1947, she married her 'Fonzi,' Earl Johansen, in Yakima. They moved to Minden, Nebraska, where JoAn worked as a nurse's aid and medical assistant in local doctor offices, and they also spent time in Cordova, Alaska. In 1967 they returned to Richland to care for her father, who had suffered a disabling stroke, until his death in 1968.

JoAn worked at Kadlec Regional Medical Center for ten years, during this time she also attended Columbia Basin College where she graduated with an Associate Degree in Arts and Science in Nursing and from the School of Practical Nursing with a 4.0 gpa. She attended Bellevue Community College and University of Washington to further her training in Emergency and Trauma Nursing Care.

JoAn worked for Hanford until her retirement from the 200 West Laboratory as a Sr. Chemical Technician in 1996.

After retirement Mom continued to live her life's motto 'Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much.' She enjoyed fishing and camping with friends and family, working in her yard, and taking pictures of anything that caught her eye. She loved to get dressed up for the weekly dances at the Pasco Senior Citizen Center, traveling, shopping, family gatherings, especially the monthly 'fish fries' with her brothers and sister, and, oh yes, did we mention shopping?

We will all remember Mom for her servant heart, her beautiful smile and wonderful laugh, and the love she had for family. A few of Moms last words were 'Happy Heart,' that is how she wanted everyone to live, with a 'Happy Heart.'

JoAn is survived by daughter Amy (Tom) Hedges of Nipomo, CA. Grandchildren: Stephanie (Tom) Shinn of Tacoma, Jenny (Bill) Faucett of Long Grove, Ill., Christopher (Lourdes) Hedges of San Francisco, CA.

Son Ross (Vida) Johansen of Prosser. Grandchildren: Tiffany (Dale) McLaughlin of Lowell, Arkansas, and Amy Johansen of Spokane. Stepgrandchildren: Jay (Rachel) Boyle, Jarrod (Ali) Boyle of Prosser and Terry (Hollye) Miller of Spokane. Husband: Bruce Doan of Moxee.

Brothers: Robert (Sandy) Welch, Tom (Kayla) Welch of West Richland; and sister Cusie Bumpauos of Richland.

She was blessed with 12 great-grandchildren and 15 stepgreat-grandchildren, as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.

JoAn was preceded in death by her parents, Emmitt and Marjorie Welch, husband Earl, grandson Jeffery Johansen and second husband William Flenti.

Einan's Funeral Home of Richland was in charge of Cremation. JoAn's remains will be placed to rest with her husband, Earl, in a private family service June 17th at 10:00 a.m. at Terrace Heights Memorial Park in Yakima, WA. A celebration of her life will be held at the Prosser City Park.

Thank you to the staff at Sun Terrace of Prosser for their compassionate loving care of Mom during her time as a resident and in her last days. Thank you to Lower Valley Hospice of Sunnyside for their kind support and care, not only of mom but to her family as well.