Wade Johannesen, 75

July 31, 2023

Wade Fredrick Johannesen, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, died peacefully at his home in Frisco, TX, on Friday, July 7, 2023, after an 18-month battle with metastatic stage 4 prostate cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, stepdaughter, and two granddaughters.

The son of Edmund Paul (1918-1992) and Helen Lorraine (Varco) Johannesen (1924-2016), Wade grew up in Baudette, MN. He was born on January 20, 1948, in Warroad, MN, and attended Baudette High School.

At the age of 20, Wade enlisted in the Army. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of CWO3 (Chief Warrant Officer), Counterintelligence Special Agent, and served in this role for 11 years; and served a total of 22 years before retiring. As part of this service, Wade was awarded numerous medals and honors.

Medals and Honors attained during his service: Army Commendation Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal (3 Awards); Legion of Merit; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Level 3); Overseas Meritorious Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm Meritorious Unit Commendation; Vietnam Service Medal (3-Star)

Military Education: Intelligence-Security Warrant Officer Advance CRS; Basic Leadership Course 1972; CI Agent 1971; RVN 1969-70

Private Education (during active duty in Hawaii):

Bachelor of General Studies; Chaminade University of Honolulu (12/21/1977)

Associate in General Studies; Chaminade College of Honolulu (12/22/1976)

Wade is survived by his wife, Virginia Melvie (Frisco, TX); stepdaughter Emily (Melvie) Carr (Frisco, TX); two granddaughters Avis and Josie Carr (Frisco, TX); his sister, Barbara Koster (Dennis, deceased) (Baudette, MN); Laine Koster (nephew, Silver Bay, MN); Forrest (Terry) Johannesen (uncle; Medina, OH); Jewell Johannesen (aunt, Coshocton, OH) sisters-in-law SharRay (Larry) Feickert (Apache Junction, AZ); Kathy (Charles, cousin) Tischart (Baudette, MN); Patricia (Michael) Ellis (Anacortes, WA); Pamela (Gary) Larson (Baudette, MN); DeeDee Stenberg (Baudette, MN); and brothers-in-law Loren (Roxanne) Melvie (Bismarck, ND); Arlyn (Noi) Melvie (Warroad, MN); and many nieces and nephews.

Wade loved the Army; it reared him, it nurtured him, and it gave him some of the most satisfying years of his life. He was a devoted son, an energetic teenager, a committed service member, a loving husband, a comforting stepfather, a spoiling grandfather, a much-loved brother and brother-in-law, and a true and loyal friend. He loved to tinker with old cars, spending time antiquing (particularly collecting old beer signs), building out his cabin in the Northwoods of MN, and so much more. He loved animals, and each of his pets was near and dear to him — I’m sure his pets are on a long walk with him now or sitting on his lap, soaking up all the love. Wade was also one of the most organized individuals I’ve known – everything had its place (military discipline, no doubt).

Wade had a profound impact on his family and friends – he was a generous man and a committed friend. He had a wicked sense of humor and had a knack for telling it like it is, though he was a pussy cat at heart. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all his life experiences: a self-taught mechanic and builder, he could fix or build almost anything.

He will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his family and friends. He genuinely loved each of them — and if you knew him, you knew it. When his time came, he carried himself with dignity and strength, and full of love for those who went before him and those he was leaving behind. He will be deeply missed by all his family, many friends, and all who knew him. Wade’s basic philosophy throughout his life was to surround himself with great people and that he did.

A military honors gravesite service honoring the life of Wade F. Johannesen will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. at The Veterans Memorial Park, Elm Park Cemetery, Lake of the Woods County Road 35, Baudette, MN 56623 (NW corner of the new Veterans section), followed by a Celebration of Life and luncheon at The American Legion Club, 115 N. Main Avenue, Baudette, MN 56623 (located in downtown Baudette).

Honorary Pallbearers: Laine Koster, Forrest Johannesen, Chuck Tischart, Larry Feickert, Michael Ellis, Gary Larson, Loren Melvie, Arlyn Melvie, Larry Toll and Jim Walton

Military Honors by: Baudette Ceremonial Squad

In lieu of flowers, our family would ask that, if you are so moved, you consider a donation in Memory of Wade Fredrick Johannesen to any of the below organizations.

Lake of the Woods Humane Society

501 1st Ave SE

Baudette, MN 56623

http://www.lowhumanesociety.com/

American Cancer Society

Donate online: https://donate.cancer.org/donate/today

Donate by Phone: To donate to the American Cancer Society by phone, call 1-800-227-2345.

Donate by Mail: To donate by mail, simply complete the form below, print it, and mail your completed donor form with your check to this address:

American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 6704

Hagerstown, MD 21741

https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/online-documents/en/pdf/forms/donate-by-mail-form.pdf