Catherine Johnsen

Catherine M. Johnsen, 88, died July 13, 2005 at Careage of Whidbey after an extended illness. She was born Sept. 20, 1916 to David and Catherine Huffman Hartlove in Baltimore, Md.

Catherine was born and raised in Baltimore. After her schooling she worked for an insurance company and a record store. In 1946 she met Alan Johnsen, who was a shipmate of her brother in the U.S. Navy. On July 26, 1947 they were married in Baltimore.

Alan’s Navy career took them first to Norfolk, Va., and eventually to Bremerton, and then to Seattle during the Korean conflict. While Alan was at sea, Catherine stayed home and took care of the family. 

Catherine and Alan retired from the Navy in 1956. In 1958 they moved to a ranch near Ellensburg. They ran the 500-acre spread for eight years before returning to Seattle, where Alan went into the real estate business. It was on weekends off from the real estate work that they took trips around the state and discovered Whidbey Island. They were drawn so strongly to this area that in 1974 they purchased a home on Penn Cove and settled there for their retirement years.

Catherine enjoyed traveling and every chance they had they were on the move. They camped in their small motor home, took cruises to the Panama Canal and Alaska and even spent some time in Mexico. With her roots on the East Coast, Catherine would travel there every other year or so just to keep in close touch with relatives and friends.

Catherine is survived by her husband of 58 years, Alan, at the family home in Oak Harbor. She is also survived by son John Hughes with his wife Emily of Auburn, son Alan Johnsen, Jr of Oak Harbor and daughter Susan Wachter with husband Harold of Maple Valley.

Catherine also leaves her brother David Hartlove with wife Eileen and sister Marylou Barrett both, of the Baltimore area, along with grandchildren Cindi, Johnny and Jerry Hughes, Christopher Wachter and Jesse Johnsen and great grandson Tyler Hughes, along with numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.

A Mass will be held for Catherine at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Oak Harbor on Saturday, July 16 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations to Children’s Hospital would be appreciated. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.