Richard "Dick" M. Johnsen, Jr.

Richard “Dick” Johnsen Jr., 72, Bismarck, passed away on November 25, 2016, at Sanford Health in Bismarck, ND. He was surrounded by his wife of 50 years, children, and grandchildren. Dick died doing what he loved; elk hunting with his son, brother, and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck with Rev. Msgr. Thomas Richter officiating. The family will greet visitors on Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM. Dick was born on October 3, 1944, in Sioux City, IA, to Richard and Neva (Vettel) Johnsen Sr. Shortly afterward, his family moved to Bismarck, where he graduated from Bismarck High School in 1962. Dick attended Bismarck State College. He then transferred to the University of North Dakota and graduated in 1966. After graduation, Dick married Connie Morrow. They moved to Red Oak, IA, where Dick worked for Union Carbide. He was drafted into the United States Army in March of 1967 and spent a year in Vietnam. He served as an infantryman and machine gunner under the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. After returning, Dick and Connie lived in Lawton, OK, until Dick was honorably discharged at the rank of E-5 Sergeant. Dick and Connie then moved back to Bismarck where he worked with his father and later his brother to operate Johnsen Trailer Sales. He worked there until his death. Dick was a firm believer in giving back to the community and spent his life doing so. In addition to running Johnsen Trailer Sales, Dick served as chairman of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber; president of the Bismarck-Mandan development Association; board member of the North Dakota Chamber; president and board member of the Motor Carriers Association; a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield board of directors; and a board member of BNCorp. Dick also served under Governor Ed Schafer on the board of North Dakota Workforce Safety Insurance. As a result of his commitment to Bismarck and the state of North Dakota, The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute awarded Dick the John M. Agrey award in 2010. One of Dick’s true passions was volunteering at the Capital City Gun Club, where he worked to develop a youth program in trap shooting. He was actively involved at the club for thirty years, where he could be found fixing trap machines or unloading pallets of targets. Dick is survived by his wife of fifty years, Connie of Bismarck; one son, Rich (Joy-el) of Fargo, ND; two daughters, Rikki Trageton of Fargo, ND, and Tanya Johnsen and husband, Joe Holohan of Boulder, CO; six grandchildren, Brittany and Jacob Trageton of Fargo ND, Richard Trageton of Fridley, MN, Maxwell and Alexander Johnsen of Fargo, ND, and Alana Holohan of Boulder, CO; his sisters, Barbara Klein of Bismarck, ND, and Leo Kathryn Ludwick of Ridgefield, CT; and his brother, Roger (Dorothy) Johnsen of Bismarck, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Capital City Gun Club youth program.