Kirk VanWilliam Johannsen

Kirk Van William Johannsen, 36, of Golden, Colorado, an avid outdoorsman, community planner, and real estate developer, was involved in a fatal car accident where he joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, September 11, in Boulder, Colorado. Kirk can be remembered first and foremost for his love of hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, skiing, and many water sports. He was a restaurateur, a county planner, real estate developer, as well as a conservationist. He can best be remembered with his dogs Chama and Skeela and any one of his many horses at his side. He is survived by his mother Andrea Johannsen, Bettendorf, Iowa; brother Jeff Johannsen, Des Moines, Iowa; grandmother Marie VandeWalle, San Luis Obispo, California; uncle Curtis and wife Leslie VandeWalle, San Luis Obispo, California; aunt Dr. Denise VandeWalle, Alamosa, Colorado; cousins Jessica, Allison and Kelly VandeWalle, San Luis Obispo, California; Nick Mogno; Sara, Spud, and Bella Duffy, Denver, Colorado; Gloria VandeWalle, Alamosa, Colorado; and many friends and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his sister, Cheri Johannsen; and grandfather, Albert (AC) VandeWalle. We will be celebrating Kirk's life in Golden, Colorado, in a place that was special to him'""Big View Ranch, 7226 Drew Hill Road, Golden, Colorado, on Saturday, September 22, at 10:30 a.m. Kirk's farewell reminder to all his friends, family and acquaintances: Do not despair. I have climbed the highest mountain, and I have lived my life to the fullest. Do not despair. I am in the best of places. I know the way I left you all was sudden and unexpected, but I have reached that great place. You would be envious. We will be meeting again soon enough, so continue following your hearts' desires. Follow those dreams. Love and allow yourself to be loved. Even though I left in the physical sense, my spirit will be with each and everyone of you. We've shared our passions, and I believe in making dreams happen. In the great place that I have gone, I will be preparing a gourmet wild game feast for when we meet again. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Kirk Johannsen Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo Bank.