Wilhemina Johnson

IRON MOUNTAIN - Wilhelmina Elizabeth Marie Johnson, 89, of Iron Mountain, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. Wilhelmina was born on Sept. 28, 1919, in Alpha, daughter of the late Emil and Emma Louise (Manke) Mallek. She graduated from Kingsford High School in 1937. She married Loren Argyle Johnson in July 1940, and he preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 1989. Wilhelmina was a 4-H leader for more than 40 years, and she participated in 4-H and Family Camp periods at Sawyer Lake Camp Molinare. She also was superintendent of 4-H and arts and crafts departments in the exhibition building at the Dickinson County Fair. She worked for MSU Extension for 15 years in the Family Living Program as an aide to low income families in Dickinson County and the surrounding area. She served on LCW and WELCA Synodical Boards of the Northern Great Lakes Synod as secretary and district president, was a chairperson on the Mission Action Committee, and conducted the annual drive for family choice TV on the April 5 Tune Out Violence Day Project. She was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, serving as the women's group secretary and president. She was leader of Ruth Circle and often presented at Bible study. Wilhelmina was a member and former leader of OWLS, a group for senior members of the church. She conducted "Willy's Tours" for several years, organizing one day bus tours for seniors and the general public to fun and interesting places. In 1993, Wilhelmina was chosen as Dickinson County First Lady. She loved demonstrating and teaching crafts of all kinds to people of all ages, especially at Sawyer Lake Camp Molinare's R & R Camp (overnight Rest and Recreation for adults). Wilhelmina is survived by her sons, Loren William (Kathy) Johnson of Putnam, Conn., Iver Dean (Lois) Johnson of Woonsocket, R.I., and Robert Lee Johnson of Iron Mountain; daughters, Wilhelmina "Billie" Marie (S. Walt) McCandless of Virginia Beach, Va., Jan Louise (Mark) Coleman of St. George, Utah, and Kathy Lynn (Mark) Ellis of Quinnesec; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Gretchen Emma Gardner of Thermal, Calif. and numerous local and out-of-state nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Christopher McCandless. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. The funeral service will follow Wednesday at 12 noon at the church. Rev. Lee Liverance will officiate. Burial will be in the Niagara Cemetery. Condolences to the family of Wilhelmina Johnson can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.