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JAMES ALAN JOHANSEN Obituary pic

JAMES ALAN JOHANSEN

Date of Passing: Mar 23, 2013

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JAMES ALAN JOHANSEN With his wife Cory at his side as she had been for 41 years Jim passed away on March 22, 2013 at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Kenora, ON. He leaves to mourn his wife Coralee (Cory), sister Nancy Keverian, Sarasota, FL, sisters-in-law Rena Sinden, Kenora, ON and Peggy Borg (Frank), Georgetown, ON, brothers-in-law Dave Sinden (Harriet), Ottawa, ON and Bill Sinden (Kerry), Acton, ON. "Uncle Jim" loved all of his nieces and nephews and their children dearly and considered all of them "his" children. They were all so good to him and he considered himself blessed. Jim was born in Chicago, IL in 1940. At the age of 10 he began coming to Sioux Narrows, ON with his parents where they built a cabin on Lake of the Woods. He was smitten with Canada. After completing his education at Illinois Wesleyan and Northern Illinois Universities he immigrated to Sioux Narrows. He was a natural entrepreneur and immediately established Woodland Resort. He and Cory developed the resort to include a dining room where Jim became quite famous for his Wednesday night B.B.Q. ribs. Contrary to public opinion resort owners were not all millionaires so he also took various contracts with Confederation College. In 1972 he and Cory opened the first Blue Heron Gift Shop in Sioux Narrows. Buying and selling was in his blood. In 1977 they opened the Blue Heron-Kenora in the old fish market. Two stores in Minaki and "Johansens" in Kenora followed. His real passion was tourism and he chaired or sat on numerous committees such as the Chambers of Commerce of Sioux Narrows & Kenora, LOWBIC, Tourism Kenora, Kenora Publicity Board and was a past president of the Kenora Rotary Club. His last commitment was heading the committee to organize the opening of "the Northern Ontario Sport Fishing Centre" in Sioux Narrows. Jim loved people. He was the ultimate event planner and very artistic. He was a motivator and leader and had enough ideas to fill three lifetimes. He always tried to ease the burdens of others. He will be remembered by many as "the greeter" at the Blue Heron. He enjoyed 10 years of retirement and loved Lake of the Woods but never stopped thinking of other things he could or wanted to do in his community. We will remember Jim every Canada Day as it was he who suggested in 1982 that First Avenue South be closed on July 1 every year so that he could hold a street party. Since then, it has grown into one of Kenora's popular summer festivals. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at the Lake of the Woods Chapel, Sioux Narrows in June. Time and date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, should you desire, donations may be made to the Sioux Narrows Endowment Fund, Lake of the Woods Community Foundation, Box 441, Kenora, ON P9N 3X4 (online at www.klwcf.ca), the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation, 21 Sylvan Street, Kenora, ON P9N 3W7 or Lake of the Woods Chapel, Box 327, Sioux Narrows, ON P0X 1N0. When we see fireworks in the sky we will remember you Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 28, 2013

Condolences & Memories (6 entries)

  • Summers spent growing up on LOTW on an island near Woodland Resort, we always knew that Jim was someone we could call upon to be there for us when emergencies arose. Once, when I was about 11, my 16 year old sister and I had gone into Sioux Narrows to get groceries to take back to our island cabin where my mom was waiting for us, alone. There was no electricity or telephones, and while we were in town, the weather took a turn for the worse; wind and rough water prevented us from crossing the water to get to our mom, and we had no way of letting her know we were okay. Jim drove us safely home, across some of the roughest water on Whitefish Bay so we could bring groceries and return to our mom. He also found my dad one evening when he received an emergency phone call that my dad's brother had passed away in a tragic accident. He seemed to always have a comforting way about him to make you feel all would be okay; and he graciously followed up asking questions and making people smile. He wanted to know what was going on in people's lives and helped people when things got tough. I will always remember the twinkle in his eyes when he joked with and teased people; he loved to give people something to think or laugh about. - Posted by: Deb Malone () on: Jun 15, 2013

  • I am so thankful I had the opportunity to visit with Cory and Jim (Jimmy as my mom Barbara would say) not long ago when I was up in Canada. I enjoyed his laughter and his love for people at Woodland Resort, shopping at the Blue Heron and sharing the joy of the lake with him, Cory and family. He will truly be missed but I know he is now well and in the presence of our Lord! - Posted by: Diane Knight (Family Friend) on: May 30, 2013

  • Cory, Penny and I are much saddened to learn of Jim's passing. The last time we saw Jim was at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. You had driven him in that morning all the way from Sioux Narrows, for some small procedure and he and Penny shared space in the orthopedic clinic. We were both stuck that day by the mutual warmth, love, and caring that flowed back and forth between the two of you. A great Canadian love story! Our main contact with Jim, like so many summer residents, was the store. No visit to town was complete without a visit to the Blue Heron and no visit to the Blue Heron was complete without a good talk with Jim. And they were good talks. He always had a story and there was no question, be it about an antique, a wool sweater, or what the town might do to perk up the tourist trade that Jim didn't have an answer for, and a good one. The streets of Kenora will be less interesting, less exciting this summer knowing bumping into Jim as the two of you come up to the big town, isn't going to happen. He will be missed. - Posted by: Sheldon Bowles (Friends) on: Apr 01, 2013

  • How lucky we were to have Uncle Jim in our lives. He was an important influence to us as we grew up and as our children grow up. He will be missed in many ways. - Posted by: Laura Clemens (niece`) on: Mar 28, 2013

  • Uncle JIm will be missed by all of us. I was blessed to have such a wonderful uncle. - Posted by: Lisa Keverian Press (niece) on: Mar 28, 2013

  • Condolences to Corey and all family. Celebrate a life well lived by a man who was all heart. The world is truly a better place to live due to Jim's vision and work which literally reaches around the world. May God Bless. - Posted by: Larry & Marilyn Buhler (Friends) on: Mar 28, 2013

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