Jason Maloy Johanningmeier - 1972-2002

JOHANNINGMEIER, SWEENEY, MELCHER

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 6/8/2011 at 16:47:34

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa WAUKON STANDARD January 9, 2002
Contributor: Connie (Kelly) Ellis - (Not related)

Jason Maloy Johanningmeier, age 29, of rural Rossville, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 1, 2002 from injuries suffered in a New Years Eve two vehicle accident involving an automobile and motorcycle near his home. The sheriff's report indicated Johanningmeier was driving a 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound on Hwy. 76 when he struck a 1994 Dodge Intrepid driven by Jacqueline Moody, age 35, of Harpers Ferry, Iowa. Moody was attempting to make a left hand turn into Johanningmeier's driveway when his motorcycle struck her car from behind. Mr. Johanningmeier was transported by emergency personnel to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, Iowa where he was pronounced dead.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 5, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, Iowa. Burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon, Iowa. Martin Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Honorary casketbearers were all of Jason's aunts, uncles, cousins, and all of the Johanningmeier Dairy employees. Casketbearers were Jake and Jerry Sweeney, Jeff and Tom Melcher, Matt Johanningmeier, and Pat Fisk.

Jason was born November 13, 1972 in Waukon, Iowa, the son of Steve and Jane (Sweeney) Johanningmeier. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick's Catholic church in Waukon, attended elementary school in Waterville, Iowa and graduated from the Waukon High School in 1991 where he was an active member of the FFA. He continued his education at NICC in Calmar, taking the Dairy Herd Management Program and spending a summer internship in Holland, New York where he became acquainted with and developed a liking for large dairy operations. Following school, he returned to work with the Johanningmeier Dairy Farm a half mile east of Rossville, Iowa.

On November 20, 1999 he married Jacqui Melcher at St. Ann's/St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry, Iowa. Jason had a true love for life on the farm and the dairy operation. He enjoyed working with the livestock, managing the herd, and doing much of the veterinary work. He was a natural engineer and was continually thinking of ways for the operation to run smoother, from welding equipment in the shop, designing new barns and buildings, to allocating land and labor resources.

Jason enjoyed spending time outdoors deer hunting and riding snowmobile. He loved riding his motorcycle and enjoyed taking Sunday day trips through the area as well as longer excursions on occasion. He treasured time spent with his family and looked forward to meeting new friends whenever he had the opportunity.

Jason lived well, laughed often, and loved much. He left the world better than he found it. Jason always looked for the best in others and gave them the best he had. His life was an inspiration. He will forever be missed.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Ray and Monica Sweeney and his paternal grandmother, Helen Johanningmeier.

Survivors include his wife, Jacqui, who is expecting their first child in March; his parents, Steve and Jane Johanningmeier; 1 brother Michael (fiance Lori Osterhaus) Johanningmeier of Waterville, Iowa; 3 sisters, Angela Johanningmeier of Waterloo, Iowa, Amy and Ann Johanningmeier, both at home; his paternal grandfather, Maloy Johanningmeier of Monona, Iowa; and his father and mother-in-law, Roger and Karen Melcher of Harpers Ferry, Iowa.