Rev. Paul C. Johnsen, 86

Dana Graduate, Teacher

The Rev. Paul C. Johnsen, 86, of Huntington Beach, Calif., a former professor at Dana College, died at his home on Saturday, April 21, 2012.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Grace Lutheran Church in Huntington Beach.

Paul C. Johnsen was born June 29, 1925, in Fremont to Dora and John Johnsen.

He served in armed forces in Europe during World War II, 1943-46.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dana College in Blair in 1949.

On June 2, 1952, he married Carolyn Joyce Nelson.

He was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 1952. He attended Trinity Seminary, UELC, and earned a master’s degree from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago in 1964. He earned a doctorate from the California Graduate School of Theology in Pasadena in 1974.

During his career, he was a missionary to Japan from 1952 through 1963 and an assistant professor of religion at Dana College, 1963-65. He was a pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Orange, Calif., 1965-70; taught at California Lutheran Bible School in Los Angeles, 1970-74; and served as senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Huntington Beach, 1974-92. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; two brothers, Marvin and Ray; four children, David, Eric, Mark and Sonya; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Timothy Paul.

Memorials can be made to Global Health Ministries, Grace Lutheran School’s Pastor Paul Johnsen Scholarship Fund, Orange County Care Connection or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Youth Ministry Program in Santa Ana, Calif.

3 #2 Funeral Leaflet

Paul C. Johnsen, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Missionary & Pastor.

Died at his home in Huntingdon Beach, CA.

Born in Fremont, NE to Dora & John Johnsen.

Wed Carolyn Joyce Nelson on 6/2/52.

B.A. Dana College, Blair, NE, 1949; ordained as Lutheran Pastor, 1952, Trinity Seminary UELC; Master's Degree, Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, 1964; Doctorate, California Graduate School of Theology, Pasadena, 1974.

WWII Europe Veteran, 1943-1946.

Missionary to Japan 1952-1963. Asst Prof. of Religion, 1963-1965; Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church in Orange, CA, 1965-1970; taught at California Lutheran Bible School, Los Angeles, 1970-1974; Senior Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, CA 1974-1992.

Survived by wife, Joyce Johnson; brothers Marvin & Ray; four children, David, Eric, Mark, Sonya, eleven grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Preceding him in death was his eldest son, Timothy Paul

Celebration of Life, Sat, 5/12/12 @ 2:00 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, CA.

Memorial gifts can be made to: Global Health Ministries; Grace Lutheran School's Pastor Paul Scholarship Fund; Orange County Care Connection; St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Santa Ana, Youth Ministry Program.

"…the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." From Psalm 100

~~~ Funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave # 226343481