Norma Jean Johansen

Norma Jean Johansen of Bartlesville, OK, a devoted and compassionate wife, mother, sister and grandmother, passed away the morning of May 3, 2017. Jean left an incandescent legacy of committed faith to the Lord, unconditional love to her family, and public service to her community. She was born Norma Jean Smith on the first of October, 1924 in Dibble, OK as the third of seven children to William Thomas Smith and Laura Rachel Hail Smith. She graduated Valedictorian of her high school in Middleberg, OK and studied business at Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, where she met her late husband Robert T. “Bob” Johansen, 2nd lieutenant U.S. Army Air Corps, on a Halloween hayride. They were married on September 9, 1945 on base in Dyersberg, Tennessee, and after the War moved to North Dakota while her husband attended Jamestown College. The couple returned to Oklahoma where Jean worked while Robert finished graduate school, and finally settled in Bartlesville and lived for the remainder of their lives. Jean served her community and all those she met in a variety of capacities, but she is perhaps best known for her involvement at First Baptist Church, the Girl Scouts of America, and various garden clubs. Jean joined First Baptist Church in 1952 where she would teach for over 50 years in the Sunday School nursery. She also raised three children of her own, and filled the role of scout leader for their Girl Scout Troop. Her work in the Girl Scouts extended to administration and fundraising at the state level, and she was granted several awards for outstanding service to the Girl Scouts. Jean was also renowned for her passion for gardening. Her home on Price Road displayed an explosion of color every spring when the bulbs made their appearance, and her loving attention to landscaping earned her home a spot on several tours. She was active in the Good Earth Garden Club and as a national flower show judge, and taught gardening skills to youth in Osage County. Jean was also instrumental in the inception of the Garden Center Corner on Highway 75 and Frank Philips and served on the Bartlesville Park Board. Her commitment to serving others went far beyond these organizations, however. Jean received numerous civic awards for her dedication to the community. She remained active in her support of Veterans, American Indian tribes and schools, missionary and political organizations, and education throughout her life. Jean will be dearly missed by her three children, Paula Johansen Myers of Bartlesville, Linda Holt and husband Jeff of Plano, TX, Roberta T. Johansen of Bartlesville, a sister Barbara J. Thomas of Ninnekah, two brothers, Dr. Willard M.”Bud” Smith of Davenport, IA, Dr. Clodus R. “Chief” Smith of Oklahoma City, her two granddaughters, Julie Myers Hinton and husband Stephen of Lawrence, KS, and Laura Gorman and husband Jared of Lawrence, KS, a sister-in-law, D. Eileen Smith of Edmond, and a brother-in-law Donald A. Johansen and wife Jean of Medina, MN. Jean is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, an infant son, her mother and father, and three brothers, William Doyle Smith, John Thomas Smith, and Dale W. Smith. The family wishes to thank everyone who provided love, support, and prayers throughout the years.

Norma Jean Johansen

October 1, 1924 - May 3, 2017