IN MEMORIAM: DARLENE JOHNSRUDE
The memorial service for Darlene Johnsrude, a longtime active member of KUUF, will be Saturday, June 18, 2 pm, at KUUF. Darlene was born in the small community of Antelope, Saskatchewan, to John and Mary Olsen. As Antelope did not have high school opportunities, Darlene spent a year in British Columbia and fell in love with the West Coast.
She studied to be a registered nurse in Ponoka, Alberta, and went on to be a nurse leader and patient case manager in Canadian facilities. She married Ted Johnsrude in 1959, and in 1976 they immigrated to the United States, settling in Grand Forks, North Dakota. While there, Darlene earned her bachelor of arts in psychology at the University of North Dakota, graduating summa cum laude. During this time, she happened to read in the Journal of the American Medical Association a notice of a medical position in Bremerton WA that matched Ted’s career as a urologic surgeon. She and Ted discussed making a transition, and in 1982 moved to a waterfront home in Kitsap County. Darlene continued to learn, earning her masters degree in clinical mental health counseling at Antioch University-Seattle then establishing her own counseling practice in Bremerton.
Darlene developed a wide circle of friends in this community. At KUUF she served on the board and in a number of volunteer roles. She organized a women’s group that met monthly for potlucks and socializing; when KUUF held its women’s retreat at Fort Worden, Darlene attended regularly and facilitated very popular I Ching readings for attendees. She loved reading, crossword puzzles, trying new recipes, laughter, and socializing with friends and family.
Her identity as a nurse was important to her, as was her role as a mental health professional. She was a compassionate presence to many, including those in the memory care residence she moved to as Parkinson’s disease increasingly limited her independence. There, she brought solace and companionship as well as a needed listening ear to her fellow residents.
Darlene died July 17, 2020, at St. Michael Hospital at age 89. She is survived by Ted, her husband of 62 years; their three sons, Kevin, Tim, and David; two daughters-in-law, Laura and Dee; grandchildren, Emma, Nick, and Lauren, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins in this country, Canada, England, and Denmark. She leaves behind a wide circle of beloved friends in the community.
Darlene’s life will be remembered and celebrated Saturday, June 18, 2 PM, at KUUF, 4418 Perry Avenue
Bremerton, WA 98310. The service will be live-streamed as well.