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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
UPDATE: A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 11:00 am, in the Maple Hill Cemetery located in Lake Linden, Michigan.
Jean M. Johnson, 97, a resident of Traprock Valley, passed away at Canal View-Houghton County on Saturday December 17, 2022.
She was born on February 6, 1925 in Saxton, Wisconsin a daughter of Nestor and Helmi (Taivalkoski) Kiilunen. As a young girl her family returned to the Copper Country where her parents lived in Copper City, and later to the farm on Seivi Road, Traprock Valley.
She graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell High School with the class of 1943.
On December 23, 1945 she was united in marriage to Emer Johnson in Ferndale, MI, where they met. He preceded her in death on October 29, 1999.
Jean lived a full life. During WWII she worked at Willow Run as a “Rosie the Riveter” building B-24 bombers. Jean and her best friend, Marie Halkola, lead a 4-H group, once bringing the group to Isle Royale. Jean and Marie also did catering for many events throughout the Copper Country. Jean enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, walking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, feeding the birds and loved animals and nature. Spending time with her family and doing things for them was her greatest Joy. She will be remembered for her positive attitude and sense of humor.
Jean and Elmer were members of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association, and enjoyed attending conferences around the country. They also took many long distance trips together to deliver wooden canoes that Elmer built. They also enjoyed a trip to Alaska as they camped in the back of their truck along the way.
She was a member of the Lake Linden United Methodist Church, Lake Linden-Hubbell Lions Club, 4-H – MSU Home Extension and the Traprock Valley Quilters.
Jean is preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters Agnes (Paul) Siira, Norma (Tor) Holomboe and Dorothy (Joe) Divecchio and brothers Carl (Eleanor) Kiilunen and Lawrence “Jack” (Sandy) Kiilunen.
Jean is survived by her sons Robert “Buzz” (Kathleen) Johnson of Traprock; Rodney (Suzanne) Johnson of Duluth, MN; Roger (Terry) Johnson of Racine, WI and her daughter Carol Johnson of Rockford, MI; her grandchildren Eric (Kristen) Johnson, Chad (John) Johnson, Robert (Erin) Johnson, Joe (Ginny) Johnson, Margaret (Travis) Hanson, Regina (Bill) Melchiori, Brenda Johnson, Mitch (Nikki) Johnson, Heather Johnson, Amanda (Jason) Colby, April (Nathan) Kadamian, Roger (Katie) Johnson, 23 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Canal View-Houghton County, for the compassionate care they provided Jean.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday December 21, 2022 at 12:00 noon in the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet with Pastor Nelson Hall to officiate.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10-12:00 noon.
Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Lake Linden.
As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests donations be made in Jean’s name to the Lake Linden United Methodist Church.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Online condolences can be left for the family at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
