Kjell Mathias Johansen

Kjell Mathias Johansen

Kjell Mathias Johansen, born at home in Tonsberg, Norway, on June 11, 1932, passed away at his home in Richardson, Texas, on December 8, 2009.

At the beginning of 2009 Kjell was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. After chemo and radiation he was deemed operable, and after surgery was found clear of cancer. He passed away from complications of pneumonia and infection.

He is survived by his wife, Shelly Angel, daughter Kristin Johansen-Berg, son-in-law Alan Berg, grandchildren Zoe and Christian Berg, along with step-children Missy Angel May and husband Douglas May, Steven Kent Mitchell and wife Tammy Mitchell, and Andrew David Mitchell and wife Lisa Mitchell; grandchildren Steven Mitchell, Kelly Kelly, Ryan Mitchell and wife Natalie Mitchell, Hayden Mitchell, Preston Mitchell, Taylor Mitchell, Nathan May, and Michael May.

He is also survived by his first wife, Elinor James Johansen of Denton, Texas, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Ruth and Rex Gray of Richardson.

Kjell came to the US in 1956 and studied linguistics at UT Austin; he taught German at what is now the University of North Texas for over 35 years and in recent years taught English as a second language at Brookhaven College. He also worked as a translator of patents, medical trials, and simple user guides, primarily translating from Norwegian and Swedish.

Kjell’s primary communities were his gymnasium class (equivalent to high school in Norway) of 1951 and life-long friends from that time, the academic community of Denton, Texas, and members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in a five-state area including Texas. Loving support and great kindness has come from innumerable members of these groups over the past year; the family expresses its love and gratitude for these good friends.

The family also wishes to express its deep gratitude to Dr. Volker Gressler and the staff of Hope Oncology, to Dr. Eduardo Wilkinson and his office team, and Dr. Tom Shires and his efficient office and surgical staff.Finally, special thanks go to the social workers at Baylor Plano and Faith Presbyterian Hospice who, against odds, made possible Kjell’s wish to go home to die.

Memorial services celebrating the life of Kjell Johansen will be held in Denton, on the UNT campus in the Golden Eagle Suite, University Union,1155 Union Circle, at

2 pm on Saturday, December 19, and at Atria Senior Living, 1493 Richardson Drive, in Richardson at 2 pm on Sunday, December 20th.

Memorials to Kjell can be sent to Heifer International (www.heifer.org) or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network ( www.pancan.org .

Louis Somers Treen

Louis Somers Treen

Louis Somers Treen, Jr., 80, of Dallas, a retired Field Service Engineer with Diamond Power, passed away Monday December 14, 2009 at Medical City Hospital in Dallas.

He had been briefly hospitalized with complications he developed following heart surgery last December. Mr. Treen celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with his loving and devoted wife Connie, their six children and many of their grandchildren and great grandchildren last summer in Cape Hatteras, where they have spent many joyful summer vacations.

Until recently moving to Dallas, Lou and Connie had lived in Denton, TX for 20 years. In Denton, they were active parishioners with Southmont Baptist Church, where Lou was the resident volunteer handy man. After moving to Dallas, they joined Royal Lane Baptist Church. He kept busy making furniture, household items and spiritual wooden sculptures in his workshop. Lou also enjoyed fishing, spending time on his boat and bird watching in his back yard.

Lou was born on October 18, 1929 in Bridgeton, NJ to Louis Somers and Edith Ella (Cook) Treen. As a child, he moved with his family to Toledo, OH, where he graduated from Devilbliss, High School in 1947. He attended the University of Toledo and then went to work in sales for Owens Illinois Glass Company and then Anchor Hocking Glass Company in Lancaster, OH, where he and Connie raised their 6 children. He was married to Marie Constance Tawresey on July 30, 1949 in Monroe, MI. He served in the U.S. Marines after WWII.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am Thursday December 17, 2009 in the chapel of Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton, TX. Dr. Larry Reynolds will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, Denton, TX.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Treen of Dallas; daughters, Susan (Edward) Flynn of Arlington, VA, Elizabeth ( Nick) Gold of Pitton, England, Sheryl (John) Freese of Westerville, OH, Meridith Treen of Dallas, TX; sons, Richard (Lillian) M. Treen of Stavanger, Norway, James B. (April) Treen of Oak Ridge, TN; eleven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.mulkeymason.com

Mulkey-Mason Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.