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Gertrude V. Johnson

Gertrude V. Johnson

GWINN / NEGAUNEE, MI – Gertrude Viola Johnson, 105, of Gwinn and former Negaunee resident, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, June 8th, 2022, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida.

Gertrude was born July 4th, 1916, in Marquette, to Jalmer and Senia (Ikkala) Ryoti. She started school only knowing the Finnish language and graduated as an honor student from John D. Pierce High School, Class of 1934, speaking both languages fluently. She continued her education at the U.P. Beauty Academy and during that time met the love of her life, Robert Johnson. After they were married, she opened and operated Gertrude’s Beauty Shop in Negaunee.

Mrs. Johnson was a member of St Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, belonged to and was a past president of the Negaunee Lady Eagles, along with card groups and volunteer groups.

Gertrude enjoyed traveling and saw most of the country including Mexico and Canada. She was on a live TV show in California and was picked from the audience to talk to Art Linkletter, one of her favorite daytime shows, at the time. She also saw Judy Garland in New York hosting the Merv Griffin Show and sat in the front rows with her family amongst the cast of The Wizard of Oz and got a chance to talk with them. She enjoyed Broadway plays when they were in New York City as well. The highlight of her travels, was a trip to England visiting with her daughter and son-in law and then visiting relatives in Finland with them.

Her hobbies and interests were too numerous to mention, always staying busy. She loved to bake and cook and had a huge collection of recipes that she enjoyed. Gertrude was an avid reader and when her sight was failing, continued with audio books.

Gertrude V. Johnson

Her memory and mind were sharp right to the end and could talk about all the current events as well as events of the past. Whenever anyone in the family couldn’t remember something, she always did. Most of all, she enjoyed being and doing things with her family and friends, spending time with them at the lake camp and enjoying the company of other relatives and friends during her winter stays in Florida.

Gertrude always put others before herself and was a perfect role model to her family and an inspiration to all those that knew her. She had “A Wonderful Life” just like the old movies she loved and there were bells ringing when she went to heaven, already having earned her wings.

Surviving are her daughter, Patricia (David) Lahti of Vero Beach, FL; two sons, Keith E. Johnson of Marquette and Robert J. Johnson of Gwinn; eight grandchildren: Scott Lahti, Kristen Lahti, Alison Lefew, Greta (Mike) Walter, Sara (Brett) Ellis, Erik (Dodi) Johnson, Amy (Adam) Zieger and Bradley (Martha) Johnson; 17 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 73 years, Robert; two sisters, Toini (Ward) Johnson and Dorothy (Richard) Taylor; and daughter-in law, Peggy (Chapman) Johnson.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 6th, at Koskey Funeral Home, with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. Interment will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends immediately following services at a luncheon at the St. Paul School Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Gertrude’s memory to St. Paul Catholic Church.

Mrs. Johnson’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.