Frederick G. Johannes
August 14, 1945 - August 09, 2015
Obituary
Johannes, Frederick "Fred"
MONONA- Frederick "Fred" Johannes, age 69, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born Ferdinand Wozniak on Aug. 15, 1945, in Schweinfurt, Germany, and became a displaced person. He came to America on July 13, 1951, and was adopted by Lorraine and George Johannes on June 17, 1952, in Clinton, Iowa. Fred graduated from Clinton Iowa High School in 1963, went on to St. Ambrose University until he joined the U.S. Navy on Dec. 2, 1965. He served as a medical corpsman with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam where he received two purple hearts and other honors. After the Navy, Fred attended the University of Iowa and before graduation married Bonnie Betts who later died of cancer. Fred graduated with a degree in Economics. He moved to Madison in 1972 where he took a job with the UW Department of Physical Plant, Planning and Trans. Fred retired from the UW on Aug 2, 2011. In 1988 Fred married Elizabeth (Liz) L. Cychosz. They loved to travel and spend happy times with their two dogs Otis and Wolfie. Liz died in 1992.
Fred loved to travel and had a special fondness for the city of Chicago. Fred had an impressive knowledge of U.S. politics. He was very generous, loved the Mississippi River, treasured old friends, hated some new technological developments and would literally give you the shirt off his back.
Fred is survived by his step daughter, Jennifer Anzia of Milwaukee; aunt, Maxine Hagge of Clinton, Iowa; cousins, Tom Hagge of Georgetown, Texas, Patricia Hagge of Clinton, Iowa and Suzanne McNeil of Iowa City, Iowa; and special friends, Bob Betsinger, Bill and Sharon Manning, and Mike and Kathy Kintner. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lorraine Johannes; his first wife, Bonnie Betts; and his second wife, Elizabeth C. Johannes. A memorial celebration will be held in Clinton, Iowa at a date to be determined. Please leave your thoughts about Fred online at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
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Memories
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Kristin Betsinger
Other •
I met Fred because I am Robert Betsinger's wife. We spent many interesting hours in conversation. I remember him being one of the most thoughtful and caring men I have ever met. He once brought me a small electric Christmas tree that he had spent quite a long time looking for at the mall. I can just picture him searching for just the right one because he would not bring something that was not just perfect. Of course, he was quite a foodie and brought us some Limburger cheese for the holidays and we could not bear to have it near us. He also liked hot food with lots of hot sauce and covered in black pepper. He was very kind about any food that was prepared for him. He was very fond of our little French Bulldogs and always enjoyed being with them. So many memories of a very fine person. He will be missed.
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Nancy Helgesen Lyons
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I worked with Fred at the UW Physical Plant. Fred's wit and intellect gave a delightful spice to any conversation I had with him. I am sorry to hear of his death. He has been missed since his retirement and many people at the Physical Plant and in the buildings Fred cleaned are saddened to hear of Fred's passing away. My prayers are with his friends and his family.
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Nancy Helgesen Lyons
Other •
An informal memorial gathering in Madison is being planned for either Sept or Oct for people who knew Fred to get together and share memories, and to support one another. More details will be posted here as soon as the date, time and location are set.
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Mike and Kathy Kintner
Other •
We had known Fred since 1972 in Iowa City. We lived in the apartment above he and Bonnie. We've been good friends all these years and wrote each other often. Fred had a unique way of describing things. He had a disdain for shopping. We would kid him at Christmas about "hitting the malls". He called them "spider webs". His letters were full of "Fredisms". Office buildings were "vertical factories". Madison in winter was "Siberia". Women's makeup was "war-paint". The list went on and on. Fred had a great knowledge of history and could get into dissertations. He loved architecture and was a great tour guide when visiting Chicago. Mostly he was a kind and generous friend who will be dearly missed.
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greg bennett
Other •
Fred had a great sense if humor, and was the kind of guy one thought of respectfully and fondly over the years. He served at Con Tien, Viet Nam, a base that received more incoming hits, Im told, than any other base camp in our nation's history. See ya on the other side Marine.
Greg Bennett
Manitowoc Wi.
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Jennifer Anzia
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Fred had a heart of gold. He was so good to my Mom and their dogs. Their years together were very happy. He called the dogs his brothers and drove through McDonalds to order them hamburgers. I loved this about him. I always learned something from him with his vast knowledge of history and politics. Thank you everyone for sharing your memories. RIP Fred.