Karolyn Johansen, 71

Karolyn Johansen, 71, of Latimer, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023 at her home in Latimer. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Hampton with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton. 

Karolyn Kay Johansen was born on December 12, 1952 in Iowa City, Iowa to Ole and Mary (Watt) Warwick. She graduated from Sheffield High School in 1971 and then from La James Beauty School. On April 4, 1975, Karolyn was united in marriage to David Johansen at Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sheffield. Together, David and Karolyn raised three children – Kristin, Leslie, and Jacob.

Karolyn discovered her true calling and embarked on a journey that would define her essence. With a heart brimming with creativity and a genuine love for making others feel beautiful, she dedicated her life to the art of beautification. She became a beacon of confidence for countless individuals who had the pleasure of sitting in her salon chair.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Karolyn was a devoted mother and grandmother whose love knew no bounds. Her family was the center of her universe, and she embraced each day with grace, laughter, and unconditional love. Her children were her greatest source of pride, and she instilled in them the values of hard work, kindness, and the importance of pursuing one’s passions. It came as no surprise that Karolyn once won a Mother of the Year award.

In the community, Karolyn was known for her generosity and willingness to lend a helping hand. She was a 4-H leader, Franklin County Cattlemen’s association member, dedicated church secretary, and Over 60s cook. She radiated compassion and made a positive impact in the lives of many.

As we bid farewell to Karolyn, we remember the sparkle in her eyes, the joy in her laughter, and the magic she worked with her skilled hands. While she may no longer be with us in person, her spirit will live on through the memories she created and the beauty she brought into the lives of so many.

Karolyn is survived by her husband David of Latimer, children Kristin Schott and her daughter Liberty of Fremont, North Carolina, Leslie Johansen (Gavin) and their daughters Gwendolyn and Lydia of Warrensburg, Missouri, and Jacob (Molly) Johansen and their children Max, Rhett and Evelyn of Hampton, Iowa, as well as her sisters Marilyn (Delbert) Hamilton of Latimer, Iowa and Dorine (Doyle) Hildebrand of Chillicothe, Missouri and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Janice Warwick, brothers Allen (Phyllis) and Lowell (Betty) Warwick, mother-in-law Nancy Harkema, sister-in-law Sue Johansen, and brother-in-law Gary Stratmann.