Jack Johnsen

Jack Johnsen was born August 21, 1933 in Oslo, Norway to Sverre Johnsen and Kari Victoria Nygaard, and was the second of four children. He grew up in occupied Norway during WWII.

He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 14 and immigrated to Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 19. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany for two years and gained his citizenship. Upon his release, he worked at ZCMI, where he met and courted his sweetheart Virginia Piercey and they married on September 5, 1957.

Jack attended and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Accounting and they moved to the Bay Area in California, where he worked with Del Monte Corp. for over 30 years. There they raised their two children, Karen and David, and enjoyed exploring the Bay Area, camping, bike riding, skiing and the trips to Norway every four years to visit family.

Jack served in many positions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including scout master, finance clerk and he served as a counselor in several Bishoprics. He served in the Draper Temple Baptistry since 2013. He was the founder of the Salt Lake area Norwegian “Fishing Club” which has met for over 30 years since he moved back to Utah.

His hobbies include exercise, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family.

Jack lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on January 6, 2021 and passed at his son’s home in Arizona, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his two children, Karen Johnsen Gilmore (Nathan) and David Johnsen (Brenda); eight grandchildren, Tommy, Michael, Curtis, Christina, Sarah, Amanda, Ryan and Tyler; two great-grandchildren; a sister and brother and their families living in Norway; and many friends throughout the world.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 16^th, from 10-10:45 a.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Road, followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Interment, Mountain View Memorial Estates. Due to current COVID situations, services will be livestreamed at: https://vimeo.com/499793118

In lieu of flowers, send a contribution to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund, 50 East North Temple, SLC, Utah 84150-6890 or any charity of your choice.

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