Helen Ray Dunshie Johnsen, (affectionately known as Aunt Buzz) 95, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at her Calder Woods home, Beaumont. Helen was the youngest of three daughters born in Hamshire, Texas, to Blanche and Milton Dunshie. Helen grew up in Southeast Texas graduating from South Park High School and later Lamar State College with a degree in Elementary Education. In 1946, Helen married the love of her life, Walter E. Johnsen, and spent the next fifty-three years devoted to their lives. He preceded her in death in 1999.
Together they built the business of Walter E. Johnsen Greenhouses Inc. a division of Johnsen’s Florist. During this time she created and managed Johnsen’s Florist in Hotel Beaumont. Often she proudly explained that famous businesswoman; Rita Ainsworth was one of her best customers. Helen also began her many years as a 1st grade teacher at Caldwood Elementary. She later became the Public Relations Coordinator for BISD during the troublesome efforts of joining two school districts in Beaumont.
Helen was a dedicated and driven woman who was actively involved in civic, cultural, educational and community concerns. She began early in life accomplishing great things for her community. It started when she was voted class favorite her freshman year in high school and went on to serve numerous organizations before graduation. She continued with her personal involvement as a member of Texas State Teachers Association, Lamar Alumni Association, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Beaumont Symphony League, Texas Gulf Coast Historical Society and the Gladys City Reconstruction project. Just recently she was honored as the ‘First Board Member Emeritus of the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Foundation’.
She had a deep passion for education, thus her love for Lamar University. It began her freshman year when Helen and her tennis partner Gladys Simmons, won the Texas Jr. College Tennis Championship. Over the many years following she continued as a great fan and supporter of the University, participating and contributing too many athletic and social functions each year. Furthermore, upon her death, she created the ‘Helen R. Johnsen Memorial Scholarship Fund’.
Helen also loved and enjoyed spending time at her beach house in Crystal Beach. There she was popular for her ‘kite’ flying often with sending dozen of kites skyward for the beachgoers to enjoy. There on the peninsula she stayed active in her church working tirelessly to help create a local Methodist church.
She spent her last sixteen years as a resident of Calder Woods, where she was recently recognized as one of the original board members that brought the Calder Woods complex to Beaumont. There, because of her quick wit, she was known and the ‘Queen’. No one really knew if that was good or not so, however, she loved it and that’s what’s important.
Helen is survived by Brenda and Paul Manes, Christina and Tom Hand, Ginger and Charles Wright, Clete Christopher, Peter and Christie Johnsen, Jamie and H.A. Butler, Cindy and Mike McCroskey, Marsha McCroskey Elrod, Bryan Beck, Ray Beck, and Roy Beck; and many other nieces and nephews.
The Family wishes to thank Helen’s ‘Team’ of caregivers under the direction, love, and personal touch of Staci Ishee, who made her life worth living her last few years: Gloria Landry, Camellia Griffin, Joy Griffin, Angela Bell, Jasmine Bell, Lauren Tice, and Crystal French.
A gathering of Mrs. Johnsens’s family and friends will begin at 11:00 a.m., with her funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, with Elliott Beck, Ray Beck, Roy Beck Clete Christopher, Peter Johnsen, and Mike McCroskey, serving as pallbearers and Chef Charles Duit, will serve as honorary pallbearer.
Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Helen R. Johnsen Memorial Scholarship Fund, Lamar University, 4400 South Martin Luther King Parkway, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
