Carl Oscar Johanson

Carl Oscar Johanson, 77, of Batavia, passed away November 16, 2023 at Geneva, Illinois.

He was born January 13, 1946 in Chicago, the son of Carl Enar Johanson and Ebba Maria (Peterson) Johanson.

Carl was an Army veteran, serving during the Vietnam war in Germany. He later became an accomplished carpenter and general contractor, ultimately starting his business, Johanson Construction. During those years he built his own home with his first great love, Kay, raising his girls, Renee and Michelle. They enjoyed many family vacations over the years, especially boating trips to the Ozarks. He loved playing Hearts. He and Kay were members of the Illinois Hosta Society, planting many hosta species around their extensive wooded property.

After Kay's passing, Carl returned to a former pastime, biking. While on a biking outing, he met the other great love of his life. He and Patti have ridden trails and roads all over the country, especially in Wisconsin and Illinois with the Fox Valley Bicycle and Ski Club. A dream of Carl's was to build a model train room, having been introduced to trains all through childhood in Chicago. On trips he would visit railroads, train depots, anything train related, including National Narrow-Gauge model train conventions whenever possible.

After moving to Batavia, he remodeled the basement of their townhome to make this possible. Last year he was able to have his trains running. Talk about a kid in a candy store, big smile on his face. A huge part of Carl's life in the last years has been serving the Lord through Royal Family Kids camp as "Mr. Woodman", making wooden kits for the children in foster care who came to the camp, serving weekly at Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry, and doing whatever was needed with his church family at Chapelstreet Church.

Throughout his life, Carl cherished his family, loved spending time with them and doing adventures with all 15 grandchildren. Anyone who knew Carl saw a smiling, happy, laughing man who would talk to anyone and everyone. He was a friend of everyone and loved to be with people.

Carl is survived by his beloved wife, Patti of 17 years; his children, Renee (Rob) Bell of Clayton, NC and Michelle (Jamie) Gartland of South Elgin; Rob (Jennie) Greer of Indianapolis and Nate (Melanie) Greer of Orlando, FL, his grandchildren, Bobby (Lina), Brandon and Megan Bell, Kaitlyn and Jack Gartland, Alex, Katie, Lincoln, Teddy, Avey, Colton, Crystella, Emilia, Makenna and Gracie Greer; his brother, Marty (Barbara) Johanson of Park Ridge and his sister, Sonya (Don) Benson-Cates of Marco Island, FL. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kay Johanson (37 years of love), parents, in-laws and his brother-in-law, Karl-Eric Benson.

 Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Malone Funeral Home, 324 East State Street, (Route 38) Geneva from 9:00 am until the time of his celebration of life service at 11:00 am with Pastor Joe Scavotto officiating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhiD6hFWOKg

Burial will follow at New Hampshire Settlement Cemetery.

Contributions in Carl's memory may be made to:

Royal Family Kids Camps of Geneva

https://geneva-royalfamilykids.squarespace.com/

2300 South St, Geneva, IL 60134 #127

National Alzheimer's Association

 https://www.alz.org/

225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601

For information 630-232-8233 or www.malonefh.com.

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