Dr. James R. “Jim” Johansen, 82, of Cherokee passed away Thursday night at Accura Healthcare in Cherokee. H was surrounded by his daughters after a short battle with cancer.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m. at Meriden Evangelical Free Church. Public family burial will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee prior to the funeral at 9:30 am. Military rites will be performed by L.A. Wescott Post #2253 and the Cherokee American Legion. Visitation with the family present will be on Friday, Aug. 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Meriden Evangelical Free Church. Services will be livestreamed. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Jim’s honor to Gideon’s International.
Jim was born on July 15, 1943, to Floyd and Shirley (Leeds) Johansen in Aurelia. He graduated from Aurelia High School in 1961 and then attended Palmer College of Chiropractic, graduating in 1965. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1966-1968 as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, holding the rank of E-4.
He was united in marriage to Patricia K. Sleezer on Oct. 11, 1969, at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee. They had two children, Amy and Leah.
Jim owned and operated Johansen Chiropractic beginning in 1969. He was still faithfully serving his patients in the community until his cancer diagnosis.
Jim’s faith in Christ was an important part of his life. His faith started at a young age as he grew up in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church family in rural Cherokee. He and his family spent many decades growing and serving in this church body. He was steadfast and dedicated in bringing his family up in church and the Word. His faith was seen by being found reading the Bible daily, praying and serving. He was devout in his love of the United States of America and holding fast to his faith.
He was a deacon and member of Meriden Evangelical Free Church. He served on the Cherokee Rodeo Board and Sanford Museum Board.
Jim was an avid bike rider and put on countless miles over the years riding Iowa highways. Jim and Pat rode their tandem bike together riding RAGBRAI 14 years. They were a part of the Iowa PIGS Tandem Bike Club, “Paired Iowans Going Somewhere.”
In his spare time, he enjoyed attending concerts, dinner theater shows and rodeos. Both Jim and Pat loved dancing. He had a love for music and singing; you’d often find him singing Christian hymns, classic country and 50s music.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Pat in 2020; sister Georgi Addis; brother-in-law David Sullivan; and sister-in-law Bonnie Sleezer.
Jim will be lovingly missed by his two daughters: Amy and David Stimes of Rapid City, S.D.; and Leah Kieso of Olathe, Kan.; nine grandchildren: Rachael (Joe) Cattin, Rebecca, Emily, Eliana and Adam Stimes of Rapid City, S.D.; Noah, C.J., Sean and AraBella Kneisler of Olathe Kan.; one great-grandchild due any day; brother Jon Kipling (Anne) Johansen of Eden Prairie, Minn.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Winston Addis of Bellevue, Wash.; Butch Sleezer of Aurelia; Janet Sullivan of Aurelia; and Robert (Diane) Sleezer of Aurelia; along with other beloved nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
