Betty J. Johnson

She was born in Escanaba on Sept. 4, 1929, the daughter of John G. and Irene L. (Mathieson) Steinmetz.

Betty attended St. Joseph School and then graduated from Escanaba High School, class of 1949.

On Feb. 2, 1952, Betty married James Louis Johnson at St. Joseph Church in Escanaba. They had six children and raised them on the family farm.

Betty enjoyed embroidery, playing bingo and cards, doing crafts, and traveling.

She was a member of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Parish, Daughters of Isabella, Home Extension for 40 years, Steam and Gas Engine Club, Escanaba and Ford River Seniors Centers and was a 4-H leader. Betty was honored as the RSVP Volunteer of the Year in 1991.

She is survived by children, Pamela (Michael) Maki of Spring Lake, Mich., Sandra Lynn (Randy) Thompson of Robards, Ky., Debra (Stephen) Frazer of Gladstone, Stephen (Gloria) Johnson of Escanaba and Susan (Thomas) Burke of Escanaba; grandchildren, Kevin (Kathryn) Maki, Kathryn Maki, Ryan (Kelly) Maki, Justin (Colleen) Everson, Tyler (Heather) Everson, Felicia (Michael) Lockwood, Rebecca Frazer, Beth Frazer, Garrett Johnson, and Andrew (Emily) Thompson; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Shirley Johnson, Rosemary Johnson, Blanche Zawada and Eileen (Michael) Houdek-Hayward; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Louis; son, James; brothers, John and George Steinmetz; sister, Barbara Willis; great-granddaughter, Josephine; and brothers-in-law, Robert Johnson, Walter Johnson and John Zawada.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 South 13th Street, Escanaba. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph & St. Patrick Parish with Rev. Timothy Ferguson officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. At the conclusion of the burial, a meal will take place at St. Joseph & St. Patrick Parish Hall.

Memorials in Betty’s name can be made to Bishop Noa Home, where she was lovingly cared for over the last two years.

A message of condolence may be directed to the Johnson family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net.