Mark D. Johansen

Obituary

Mark D. Johansen

June 23, 1956 - Nov. 9, 2024

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. - Mark D. Johansen passed away on Nov. 9, 2024 as a result of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma which is a rare and highly aggressive cancer. His perseverance in life was ever so evident.

Mark was born on June 23, 1956 in San Diego, Calif. to Jack and Helen (Knosp) Johansen. On June 21, 1958, the family was traveling to Hastings, Neb. to celebrate Mark and his twin sister, Luanne’s second birthday when they were involved in a car accident. His parents were killed as a result. Mark was raised by his maternal grandparents, Commodore Dewey and Helena Knosp, living in Hastings and McCook, Neb.

Mark attended school in McCook, Neb. and graduated from McCook High School in 1974 and graduated from McCook Community College with an Associate of Arts Degree.

Mark met his only love and lifelong partner, Janna K. Keeler Johansen in December 1975 and married in Culbertson, Neb. on June 30, 1979.

Mark was the owner operator of his own trucking company M.D. Johansen Inc. for many years. In later years, he drove trucks for other companies including subcontractors for the Union Pacific Railroad and Becker Farms.

He retired in 2016. Mark enjoyed continued travel in and out of the country. Travel over the years included riding his different motorcycles. While retired, he completed several Iron Butt Association Sanctioned 1000-mile rides in 24 hours and participated in Tour of Honor yearly veteran memorial rides.

Mark was a genuinely loving, compassionate, tenderhearted, devoted, hardworking, meticulous, and fun-loving man.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Jack and Helen (Knosp) Johansen; maternal grandparents, Commodore Dewey and Helena (Mary Helena McFarland) Knosp; paternal grandparents, Mark Hanna (Hagedorn) Johansen and Sadie (Hancock) Johansen; mother and father-in-law, (James) Donald and JoEllyn (Stromp) Keeler.

He is survived by his wife, Jan Johansen. Mariela and Jesus Alejandre (Jesus and Alexandra); Christopher and Samantha Real (Dominic and Madison); Luanne and Daniel VanCura; Michael and Myra Real; Kenneth and Barbara Keeler; Christopher and Angela Keeler; Matthew and Jennifer Keeler; James and Laurie Keeler; Shannon and Erik Fegter; James B. Keeler and Jaden Krienert. Several nieces and nephews. Special friend Curly (Jimmy) Dougherty; motorcycle partner Rick Harvey and numerous other good friends.

My only mortality on this earth is in the memory of others.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte with hospice chaplain, Robin Storer officiating. Family requests casual dress. Inurnment will follow in the North Platte Cemetery columbarium. The memorial book will be available to sign on Monday, Nov. 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.