Darlene Marie Johannesen

Darlene Marie Johannesen of Platteville, WI, retired hair salon owner from Viola, WI died Monday, July 4, 2022. She was 87. Darlene was born to Denver and Marie Heal, of Viola, on June 22, 1935. After graduating from Kickapoo High School in 1954, she acquired a cosmetology license from Harper Method in Madison and began as a beautician at [then] Raymond’s Salon on Monroe Street. On November 16, 1957, in Dubuque, IA, she married Richard “Dick” Johannesen, who was originally from La Farge, WI (and preceded her in passing, May 27, 2021). She described her marriage of 64 years as, “The best decision I ever made.” The pair immediately moved to Cincinnati, OH, where she continued as a practicing beautician. When the pair later returned to Viola to raise their family, she opened Darlene’s Beauty Shop. She very much enjoyed her own business and clients for 35 years, until retirement. Dick and Darlene relocated to Platteville following the Great Kickapoo River Flood of 2018. As a member of the Viola United Methodist Church, Darlene was an active participant in its remodeling after an earlier flood. Darlene and close friend Doris Sime also started the church’s food pantry, which continues to serve an important function in the community. Darlene is survived by daughter, Rhonda Johannesen (husband Kevin Hagopian) of State College, PA and son, Eric Johannesen (wife Mary), of Livingston, WI and their two sons, Nick of Burlington, WI, and Casey (wife Rhianna and son Leif) of Cary, NC. She is also survived by her siblings: Denver “Duane” Heal (wife Jackie) of La Crosse, WI, Donna DeGarmo of Viola, Judy Hauge (husband Charles) of Beaver Dam, WI, Jack Heal (wife Cindy) of Lodi, WI, and their families. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 11, 2022, at Vosseteig Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua, WI. A visitation be held from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Darlene will be laid to rest at the Viola Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either the Viola Public Library or to the Viola Cemetery in Darlene’s memory. Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Darlene's family. 123 W. Decker St. Viroqua, WI 54665 608-637-2100