Ansgar "Nick" Johansen
August 21, 1934 - February 28, 2026
Obituary
A Nick Johansen
August 21, 1934 – February 28, 2026
Ansgar Nicholas “Nick” Johansen was born in rural North Dakota. When he was young, his family moved to Minnesota, where he was raised.
Nick put himself through college at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., becoming the first person in his family to get a college degree. He went on to earn his masters from the University of Kansas and doctorate from the University of North Dakota. In 1960 he married the love of his life, Beverly Delaney. They had six children and had been married for 65 years at the time of his death. Nick strongly believed in higher education and spent 34 years at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in both administrative and teaching positions. As director of financial aid in the early ‘70s he saw student parents struggle to attend classes because they lacked reliable childcare, so he created a daycare center on campus that still operates today. He also helped establish the Counselor Education Master’s program at UW-Platteville. He was very proud of both achievements, which touched the life of many people over the years.
Nick was an avid deer hunter and only stopped hunting when he turned 90. During his lifetime he also hunted turkey and traveled to Canada many times on fishing trips and to hunt moose and caribou. Nick was in the Army reserves for 40 years, retiring in 1997 as a Lt. Colonel. He loved to tell stories and jokes and always looked for new audiences who would appreciate them.
Nick is survived by his wife Bev, daughters Cecelia (Jamal), Danette (Sam) and Erin, brother Pete and grandchildren and great grandchildren in the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates. Nick was preceded in death by his son Francis, infant sons Geoff and Howard as well as his parents Arvid and Mabel (Gaffaney) Johansen and three brothers, Arvid, Ernest and Jarl.
Funeral services will be at Noon on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Chapel military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post #42 and VFW Post #5274. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers please contribute to a charity of your choice in his honor. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.