GLORIA D. JOHNSEN
Gloria Dene Johnsen passed away at age 72, on January 5, 2023, at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center in Scottsdale AZ.
Gloria was born on May 7, 1950, in Oxford Neb., the younger of two children born to Dean A and Roberta E (Johnston) Johnsen. She was baptized in infancy at St.
John’s Lutheran Church in Oxford NE. She received her primary and High School education in the Oxford Public School Systems. She graduated from Oxford High School in 1968.
She began her career as a flight attendant in 1970 with North Central Airlines living in Minneapolis, MN at that time. In 1980 she was employed by Northwest Airlines and moved to Scottsdale, AZ. During her time with Northwest Airlines she flew non-stop coast to coast flights and worldwide international flights for many years. Taking her around the world many times and finding new friends where ever she happened to land. She left Northwest Airlines in 2004 to pursue a more leisurely lifestyle and still continue flying which she loved.
She went to work as a contract corporate flight attendant flying executives, celebrities and their families to various corporate and vacation destinations. During her time as a corporate flight attendant she was based in and lived on the island Guam for a period of time. She curtailed her flying career in 2015 to spend more time pursuing other interests In 2010 Gloria met Larry Raussa her significant other. They have been together ever since working, playing and having a shared interest in Gloria’s lifelong love of and attraction to large breed dogs. At her passing they owned and loved two Belgian Molinois. They also shared the work of remodeling their home in Fountain Hills AZ.
Gloria had an interest in communicating with her host of friends made during the many years she worked as a flight attendant as well as friends from her youth growing up in Nebraska.
She had many friends that she loved and cared for. Unfortunately during the preceding year her ill-health prevented her from communicating with everyone as frequently as she liked.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her significant other Larry Raussa of Fountain Hills AZ, her brother Art Johnsen and his wife Janice of Holdrege NE, one nephew Gregory Johnsen and his wife Asha and sons Aslan and Braven of Colorado Springs, CO and many other cousins, relatives and friends.
There will be no services as per Gloria’s request. Private family graveside services will be held at a later date.
Messinger Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences and personal reflections may be left at messingermortuary.com/fountain-hillsmortuary
