Anita Marie Johnson Morgheim

Anita Marie Johnson Morgheim Dec. 13, 1926 - Nov. 11, 2010 Resident of Hayward/ Oregon Anita Marie Johnson was born in Muskegon, Michigan on December 13, 1926, to Andrew Johnson and Loretta Woehrl Johnson. She was raised in Muskegon until her family moved to California in 1944. Despite misgivings about such a move her senior year of high school, Anita adapted well, made many friends, and graduated in 1945 from Amador Valley Joint Union High School in Pleasanton. California became the place she called home and she would not leave again for many years. Anita met her future husband, Herman Morgheim, while he served in the U.S. Navy and they married in 1946. They lived in Pleasanton when they were first married and then moved to Hayward. They welcomed a daughter and a son to their family and lived together in Hayward until Herman's death in 1972. Anita enjoyed and did an excellent job in the roll of mother and homemaker and did not begin her second career until she went to work as a sales associate at JC Penney in 1967. She retired from Penney's in 1987 after making many life-long friends during the 20 years she worked there. During her retirement Anita enjoyed doing crafts with her friends in the "Happy Hookers"group, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and travelling in the United States with friends and family. She also took a memorable trip to Paris about which she often shared fond memories. In anticipating possible problems with her eyesight and macular degeneration, Anita moved from Hayward to Oregon in 2007 to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She learned to appreciate a few things about Oregon but always missed California and considered it home. Anita died in Portland, Oregon following a year-long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She was 83. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, sister, and husband. Anita is survived by her children Heidi Tate (husband Dale) and Jeffrey Morgheim (wife Vickie) and grandchildren Jill Smith (husband Bob), Adam, Nicholas, Ethan, and Jordan Morgheim and Heather and Sean Lathim. She is also survived by her three great grandsons Sam, Max, and Luke Smith. She will be greatly missed by her family and those so fortunate to have known her. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Kaiser Northwest Hospice Care program for the aid and support extended to Anita in her last months. Particular appreciation is extended to Cindy and Peggy for the love they shared which helped make a difficult time easier for Anita and her family. At her request, there will not be a memorial service or funeral. Private inurnment/ burial will be at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward. A gathering of friends and family will be held to celebrate Anita's life at her son's house on Saturday December 11. Please contact/call Jeff Morgheim at 510-289-0363 for details.