Obituary
Lansing Kent Johansen, age 80, passed away at home in Tavares, Florida, on July 15, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones, following a 6-year battle with chordoma. Born November 20, 1943, in Decatur, Illinois, Lansing was the second of five children born to Christian and Bernice (Dresher) Johansen.
Lansing graduated from Urbana High School in 1961. He excelled academically and as a student-athlete, musician, and school leader. He was a forward on the Urbana High School varsity basketball team, played the trombone in the Tiger marching band, and served as the student council President. Lanse attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Accounting, and was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He played trombone in the Illini’s second regimental band, and he remained passionate in his loyalty for the Fighting Illini, particularly the basketball team, throughout his lifetime. Lansing was a talented pianist and continued to play and practice diligently until his health recently prevented him from doing so.
Lansing’s professional life was marked by excellence. He served as the Chief Business Officer of Pinellas County Schools from 1987 until his retirement in 2010. He served as President of the Florida School Finance Officers Association (FSFOA) and Chairman of the Florida School Finance Council in 1991. Before his tenure in Pinellas County, Lanse held key positions such as the Chief Financial Officer for Leon County Schools and the Controller of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. His early career included roles as the Chief Internal Auditor for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Chief Fiscal and Budget Officer for the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office, Chief Accountant of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, Finance Director for the University of Illinois Foundation, and Controller for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
For the past 41 years, Lanse has been cherished and cared for by his loving partner and companion, Fusako Butler. He deeply appreciated Fusako’s unwavering devotion and care in his declining health and that of Fuskao’s son, Michael Butler (Becky Young), and his loving daughters, Lisa Ann and Laura Beth. Lanse considered Fusako’s sons, her grandson Alexander Butler, and Alex’s mother, Linda Butler, part of his family. Lansing was very proud of his daughters, Fusako’s family, and all of his grandchildren, to whom he was known as “PapaFar.”
Lansing was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Janis Wood and Kristi Johansen, and his former wife and mother of his daughters, Bonnie Baker. He is survived by Fusako Butler, his daughters Lisa Funk (Mike) of Pooler, Georgia, and Laura Beth Cohn (Adam) of Winter Garden, Florida, his sister Sigrid Aeschleman (Arnie) of Normal, Illinois, and brother Sten Johansen of Savoy, Illinois. He leaves five grandchildren, Drew Funk, Benjamin, Maya, Eliana, and Jonah Cohn, and many nieces and nephews.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Compassionate Care Hospice for their exceptional care and support during Lanse’s final months. Their dedication and care allowed Lansing to remain at home with Fusako, as he had wished. The family would like to express a special thank you to his devoted hospice aide, Diana Latch, and nurse, Kim Royle. In accordance with Lansing’s wishes, he will be cremated, and a small private memorial will be held. Donations in Lansing’s memory may be made to the Chordoma Foundation.
I enjoyed the times we spent together when you and Lanse would come to visit me. Thank you for the special memories and friendship. Lanse will be missed.
Tsurumi