Craig Lynn Johanesen
January 29, 1945 - February 02, 2018
Obituary
STOUGHTON-Craig L. Johanesen, age 73, of Stoughton, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2018, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on January 29, 1945, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and became the son of Leif Johanesen and Carol (Reykdal) Johanesen in March 1945. He met his loving partner, Betty Socha, in 1985, and has been her dearest friend, colleague, and companion. Craig graduated from Clintonville High School in 1963, and received a B.S. in Political Science in 1969 from UW-Stevens Point, and an M.S. in Resource Management from UW-Madison in 1972. He worked at the Great Lakes Planning Commission, the Wis. Dept. of Economic Development, at three environmental consulting firms in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and most recently the company he founded and owned, Craig Environmental. His focus was marketing and project direction in the areas of solid waste management, site remediation, and property transaction due diligence. He retired in Fall of 2017.
Craig was a member of the National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA), Waste Tech Advisory Steering Committee, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), and the Society of American Military Engineers. He was also a member of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association and the steward of the family tree farm near Cloverleaf Lakes in Shawano County.
Craig enjoyed historic house restoration, antique guns, wooden boats, genealogy, his business trips to Hayward, WI, glacier study trips with Betty to Alaska, and glacial geology research with her in Wisconsin. He loved flying – as a pilot and a passenger in seat 2A. Amsterdam was his special city, and Norway and Greece his favorite countries. If a feline found Craig, they found a friend and a home. Sable (his favorite), Sheldon, Max, Margo, Zoe, Chelsea, Stripe, and Sheba were all very lucky cats to have his care and love.
Craig was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015 and made every effort to enjoy life as long as possible. He had a reunion last fall with a few of his closest friends from high school, the “Magnificent Seven”. In September he made a final trip to Talkeetna, Alaska, to meet with friends there--where he had flown float and ski planes since 2008. In November he hunted on his land by Cloverleaf Lakes and got his deer early opening morning.
Craig is survived by his loving partner, Betty Socha and her family, Jane and Hank Bronowicz, Carey and Chad Bernt, Mandy Dalhke and Eddie Hrdina, Peyton and Preston Dahlke, and Kannon Hrdina. He is also survived by several cousins, and his sister’s children, Carol, Heather, and John. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Gale Beyersdorf.
Per Craig’s request, no funeral services will be held. A celebration of his life will be arranged at a later time. Memorials may be made to the Clintonville Area Historical Society or the ASPCA. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Hwy 51
608-873-4590
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Memories
RK
Russell Kafka
Other •
I remember Craig introducing me to sailing on Pine Lake during the summer when I was in college. I'm a graduate of CHS a year ahead of Craig and he lived at the end of my street in Clintonville. We sailed in his dad's heavy wooden boat that was one of the first of its class ever built.
That experience led me to buy a day sailboat of my own which I have at my cottage on Pine Lake.
I thank him for the introduction to sailing. I will also remember his love of the lake, and local history.
With sincere condolences,
Russ Kafka
PG
Pamela Gardner
Other •
Craig certainly packed a whole lot of livin' into his 73 years. What an excellent model of a life fully lived! Always appreciated him taking the time to stop by for a chat.
DK
Dennis & Joy Krubsack
Other •
Dennis was a childhood friend of Craig and the stories I've heard seem to focus on their shared adventures at the Cloverleaf Lakes--stories of fun, boys finding trouble & laughs. We talked with Craig this fall and he had his mind focused for the cancer fight & body ready to live as fulfilled as possible. It was really inspiring to talk with him that day and we are so happy he was able to fly in Alaska again. We will always remember Craig for his love of the outdoors and passion for history. I believe he is resting outdoors enjoying the wind against his skin.
JG
Jerry Glocke
Other •
What an honor it was to have Craig for a great friend for all those years. Several of us had a wonderful mini-reunion with him in Clintonville last fall which I will never forget. His many interests, his love of the outdoors and his worldwide travels all lead to a very exciting life. Always with a great smile and a kind word, he was a pleasure to be around. God bless you Craig. Talk about a life well lived!!!
Jerry and Linda Glocke
JS
John Stichman
Other •
I have always valued my friendship with Craig. He was always smart, insightful, congenial, and supportive. I am so sorry that I was unable to see him in the last couple of years, but I treasure his memory. One of Craig's many kindnesses to me was to nominate me for an alumnus award given by our high school, which was granted. The world has lost a truly good person. May his memory continue on long after his passing. John Stichman
AM
Angela Maas
Other •
Craig will be missed dearly by all of us at Malabar Coast Coffee & Tea in Stoughton. He was a longtime regular, and usually the first face we saw each morning. He rarely veered from his coffee and breakfast sandwich, and everyone knew to have the morning paper ready for him! He truly was one of a kind and our mornings will not be the same without him. May you rest in peace, Craig!