Carol Johnsen

Carol Johnsen, 78, of Vancouver, WA died April 10, 2025 at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver.

Born in 1946 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of Lucille (Lokos) Johnsen Stelling and Henry Johnsen.

Carol grew up in Edina, MN, which was growing up with her. In 1956, she was among the first to shop at Southdale, a new climate-controlled mall unlike anything seen before in the U.S., and, in 1958, among the first to swim in the new Municipal Pool. In high school, Carol was an excellent oboe soloist in the concert band and a percussionist with the marching band at sporting events and parades. At all times, she enjoyed the company of her friends and made sure to keep them close.

After graduating from Edina-Morningside High School in 1964, Carol eagerly moved on to discover life away from home at the University of Minnesota. She eventually settled into the exciting world of Cedar-Riverside, where her interest in folk music and the blossoming counterculture was stoked. Carol 's schoolwork led to a degree in English in 1969 and a job as a staff writer at the University news service.

After the 1972 death of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet John Berryman, a professor at the University, Carol took on the challenge of writing and producing I Don't Think I Will Sing Anymore Just Now, a moving retrospective featured on PBS. With this impressive film to her credit, Carol was able to move on and become a project coordinator for several commercial film production companies in Minneapolis. That work, and actor friends who had been pulled westward by opportunities in television and film, convinced her to move to California.

With just her dog Josh and some high hopes, she drove her 1968 Camaro convertible into the West.

Carol's knack for delivering unexpected and appealing content gained quick appreciation at West Coast film companies, where she first found work as a researcher and associate producer on several syndicated documentaries. In a quick pivot, she filled in as a production assistant for a few episodes of the Lou Grant series. Then she was part of a team writing Lifepod, a science-fiction adventure film enhanced by her editing talent and ear for dialogue. With expertise in designing and producing special effects, along with storytelling skills, Carol and her partners turned to title sequences for TV series, rising quickly to the top in that market. Their agency, Castle Bryant Johnsen, designed, produced and directed opening titles for hundreds of shows, including Cheers, The X-Files, Frasier, Becker and As the World Turns. As a designer, Carol won three national Emmy Awards for her colorful and innovative work.

Her principal partner in this work and all that came after was Bruce Bryant. For Bruce, the first hurdle he had faced was the Josh test; would Carol's faithful companion accept him? As it turned out, Josh was a big fan. With that challenge met, Carol and Bruce eventually married in 1985. For the next 40 years, their life together was an astonishing mix of hard work, fun, friendships and four-legged family.

After first living together in North Hollywood, Carol and Bruce moved to Vancouver, WA. As Bryant/Johnsen Media Design, they expanded the services they offered to include designing, writing and consulting for small businesses and individuals. Eventually, they launched another small business, JumboBumbo.com, an online gift gallery showcasing unique items created by more than 70 artists. An insatiable NBA fan, Carol brought her feelings for the Clippers with her from Los Angeles but also opened her heart to the nearby Trailblazers. And out of family loyalty, she occasionally rooted for the Boston Celtics.

Bruce and Carol shared a love of animals, and over all their years together rescued countless dogs and cats, bringing them into the family. Carol wrote of two adoptees: "We added two more dogs to the Lodge Clan. Loba - a German Shepherd mix we found in the middle of the Hollywood Freeway at rush hour. Sparky - a golden/Chow mix followed us home one hot summer day. We put ads in the paper, descriptive 'found' signs all around but to no avail. How do they find us?" That mystery was never solved despite the great abundance of tail-wagging clues.

Carol is survived by her brother Dan Johnsen, niece Molly Johnsen, nephews Bart-Johnsen Harris and Homer Johnsen, as well as several other loving extended family members and many friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Amy Johnsen-Harris, and so many grateful critters.

Anyone who spent time with Carol will know her quick mind, strong will and inclination to kindness. She wanted nothing more than for our world to be a place of delight.