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Helen Charlotte (Heath) Johnson

Helen Charlotte (Heath) Johnson

MARQUETTE — Helen Charlotte (Heath) Johnson, 94, passed away in her sleep at Norlite Nursing Home Marquette, Mich., early in the morning of 3:20 a.m. May 5, 2020. She had been basically well, but had endured advancing dementia for years. Due to the long quarantine, a family member could not be with Helen in her final hours, but she was lovingly attended by one of Norlite’s staff nurses.

Helen was born to Bennett and Sylvia (Grenell) Heath in Cassopolis, Mich., May 17, 1925. Her father, Bennett, graduated from Michigan Agricultural College (later, Michigan State University) East Lansing, then served as agricultural development agent for the LS&I Railroad. During this time, he began a John Deere tractor dealership, then hardware and greenhouses in Skandia. Heath’s Hardware remained a staple in the community for over 60 years.

At age six, Helen moved with her family to Marquette, Mich., a short time in Houghton, then in 1939, to Skandia where Ben farmed, and began Heath’s Hardware and Greenhouses after being a John Deere Tractor dealer. 

Helen met future husband, Lowell Kenneth (Ken) Johnson on the Skandia school bus to Graveraet. Their first date, in 1941, was at Doncker’s in Marquette, a popular gathering place for young people.

March 3, 1945, Helen and Ken were married in New Rochelle, N.Y. Ken was on shore leave from the Navy, while serving on the U.S.S. West Point. 

Helen Charlotte (Heath) Johnson

The couple, with baby Judy, settled in a small home in Skandia, which Ken expanded as the family grew to include Jerry, Keith, and Dana. While there, Helen served as a 4-H leader, member of the PTA, Sunday school teacher, and pianist at the Methodist Church. The Johnson home became a hub of activity for neighbor kids with a baseball field in back, plenty of crafts, books, and board games to enjoy.

In 1962, Ken began with Omark Industries requiring the family to move to Lansing. While there, Helen served as Cub Scout den mother and created a yard that was the envy of the neighborhood Ken soon was invited to Stihl America, Virginia Beach, Va., as vice president of sales, chainsaw safety trainer, then to the legal department. He retired after 20 years with Stihl, still repairing chainsaws in his Trenary garage.

In 1966, with daughter Judy married, and son Jerry working in Lansing, Ken and Helen purchased a house on Rock Lake near Vestaburg and moved there with younger sons, Keith and Dana. Helen went right to work, building another beautifully landscaped yard full of flowers. They enjoyed life at the lake until Ken’s retirement in 1991, when the couple moved back to the U.P., first to Trenary, then to a retirement village in Gladstone.

Helen lived at Christian Park in Escanaba for a couple years when Ken’s macular degeneration prevented him from being able to properly care for her at home. In 2014, son Dana returned from Oregon after nearly three decades. They decided to move Helen out of the nursing home and back into their Gladstone home in the fall of 2014. Helen lived with Ken and son, Dana, until Ken’s passing, Dec. 13, 2015.

In January 2016, Helen and Dana moved to Gowen, Mich., to the home of Ruth Sanderson, Dana’s high school sweetheart with whom he had reunited. Ruth and Dana wed May 2016. Helen lived with them until June 2017 when it became necessary for her to again be placed in a nursing home. Helen’s daughter, Judy, moved her to Brookridge Heights, then to Norlite Nursing Home in Marquette where she resided for the remainder of her life.

Helen was an avid reader, the house always rich with books. She was very creative; a skilled gardener, and a brilliant seamstress winning many awards at U.P. State and County Fairs. She sewed for home, family and friends, made exquisite beaded jewelry, and did fine paper crafts. She was a gifted paper doll costume artist noted in the field for her unique fashion designs and creations. A large dollhouse patterned after Helen’s childhood Houghton home became the family’s many-year project, delight and pride. When their Gladstone home was sold, the dollhouse moved to Peter White Public Library where it was enjoyed by thousands, until a library expansion project required it be moved. Granddaughter, Anna, is now the happy caretaker of the dollhouse and all its beautiful furnishings.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Johnson; her brothers, Alfred (Betty) Heath, David (Ann) Heath, Robert (Mary) Heath, and John (Barb) Heath. 

She is survived by one sister-in-law, Mary (Loucks) Heath; her children, Judy M Johnson (Glenn DeVlaminck) of Skandia, Mich., Jerry Johnson (Laurie Jo) of Grandville, MI, Keith Johnson (Peter Bane) of Montague, MI, and Dana Johnson (Ruth Sanderson) of Gowen, Mich. Helen is also survived by her grandchildren, Judy’s daughter, Jenny (Chris) Taliadoros and son, Kenny Taylor (Krystal Hall); Jerry’s son, Jeremy and daughters, Bailey and Kelsey; and Dana’s daughter, Anna (Chris) Bunes. Her great-grandchildren are Kenny and Krystal’s children, Zak and Willow Rose; Jeremy’s, Calvin; and Anna and Chris’, Benjamin. Helen is also survived by dozens of nephews and nieces, their offspring.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Helen will take place as soon as restrictions are lifted in Skandia, Mich. The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Johnson family and online condolences can be sent at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.