Gudrun ‘Goody’ Louise Johansen

Fun-Loving And

Cheerful Spirit

Gudrun “Goody” Louise Johansen, 95, of Newtown, the widow of Richard Johansen, died August 10 at her daughter’s home in Chatham, Mass. She was born in Hoboken, N.J., on February 11, 1911, the daughter of Thomas and Bergliot (Jacobsen) Thompson.

Mrs Johansen, a graduate of Wyckoff Heights Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn, N.Y., worked in a variety of fields within nursing including hospital, public health, industrial, and schools.

She lived in New York City most of her life before moving to Danbury in 1968 and then to Newtown in 1995. Wherever she lived she was active in many school, community, and church activities. She was a literacy volunteer and a founding member of the food pantry at St James Episcopal Church in Danbury. In later years her great love was the Newtown Senior Center. She looked forward each day to socializing with friends there and sharing her cheerful and fun-loving self.

She is survived by a daughter, Karen Riesterer and her husband, Wilfried, with whom she resided; a son, Roy Johansen and his wife, Anna Marie, of Longmeadow, Mass.; four grandsons, Alex Riesterer of Bethel, Vt., Erik Riesterer of Newtown, and Christian and Conrad Johansen of Longmeadow, Mass.; and five nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life services will take place at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Route 133 in Brookfield, where she was a member, at 11 am on Saturday, August 26.

Memorial donations may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Route 133, Brookfield CT 06804, or Hospice of Cape Cod (HPCCC), 270 Communication Way, Hyannis MA 02601.

The Newtown Bee        August 18, 2006