Allen Paul Johannessen

1938 - 2024

Allen Paul Johannessen completed his earthly journey on Aug. 12, 2024, and has gone to a much deserved rest in the arms of Jesus. It was a long and often difficult journey, but thanks to Touch of Care for all their love, care and support.

Allen was born on May 26, 1938, in Clear Lake, Iowa to Paul and Mandella Amundson Johannessen. When Allen was 7, Allen's father, Paul, died and Mandella married Albert Huber, whom Allen called Dad.

Allen attended school in Clear Lake, and upon graduation from high school joined the U.S. Air Force. After his tour with the Air Force, he went to work for what was then called Western Electric and later known as AT&T, moving from installer to supervisor and finally to course writer and instructor.

In 1962 he married Betty Rowson and they had two children, Todd and Dana. In 1984 he married Janet Sybert Derfler and they joined Allen's two children Todd and Dana with Janet's two children, Cheri and Ron Derfler, into a new blended family. In 1991 they added Emily to this family.

Allen retired from AT&T in December 1989, and in 1996 he and Janet and Emily moved from Naperville, Illinois to Montrose, Colorado. Allen loved the San Juan mountains and Montrose. He attended CSU and received his certification as a Master Gardener. He continued a lifelong passion as a genealogist, doing research for many family members and friends.

Allen is survived by his wife Janet, daughters Dana Johannessen Altomari, Cheri (Jesse) Bailey, and Emily Johannessen (Askin) Basarir, son Todd (Karen) Johannessen, brother Gene (Nancy) Huber, brother-in-law Norman Sybert, granddaughters Noelle Andresen (Randy) Flythe, Autumn Johannessen, Adrieanna Derfler, Chelsea Jamison, grandsons Brandon Altomari, Zachary Flester, and Tyler Flester, three great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons, and many nieces and nephews.

Allen was preceded in death by his father Johannes Paul Johannessen, mother Mandella Huber, stepfather Albert Huber, brother Robert Johannessen, and stepson Ron Derfler.

Memorial service arrangements are being made with the help of Crippin Funeral Home and All Saints Anglican Church, Montrose.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 7, 2024, at All Saints. There will be a light luncheon served at the church immediately following the service. Final interment will be at a later date in the Memorial Gardens at Grandview Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado.