Rapid River, MI
Catherine Hester Johnson, age 64, passed away Friday August 22, 20l4 at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba, Michigan where she had resided since January 30, 2010.
She was born on December 4, 1949, in Escanaba, to Waldon “Punch Sr” and Jean Katherine (Minor) Johnson. She was raised at home with her brothers and sisters and extended loving family in Rapid River, Michigan. After her mothers failing health in 1997, she went to live with her sister and her husband until moving to the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba. She was baptized and attended Sunday school at the Congregational Church in Rapid River.
She is survived by brothers, James (Alice) Johnson, Sam (Sandy) Johnson and sister, Sara (Ron) Lustick. She was preceded in death by her loving sister Mary Fay (Johnson) Proehl in 1968 and her two boys Stephen in 2003 and Tim in 1988, brother, Waldon ‘Little Punch” Johnson in 2007 and his wife Monnie in 2011.
Catherine was very outgoing and loved everyone and gave the best hugs.
She celebrated her 50th birthday at the Lions club in Rapid River in 1999.
She got to see Kenny Rogers in 2007 at the Island Casino and got to go back stage and have her picture taken with him. She also got to see Bobby Vinton and got a hug.
She loved music, both country and early sixties tunes. Her favorite radio station was 104.7 until her sister converted her to 680 WDBC. Her favorite singers were Kenny Rogers, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Ray Price, Jim Reeves and Andy Williams and many more. Her favorite songs were “Moon River” and “Bridge Over Trouble Waters”.
She loved to sew outfits for her dolls, made latchhooks and a million hotpads for everyone. She loved her soap operas, The Guiding Light, As the World Turns and the Young and the Restless. Her brother Punch nicknamed her “Mrs. T” after Phoebe Tyler on the Young and the Restless. She called him “Comish” because he was a commissioner at one time. She also loved the Price is Right and would get so excited watching the Showcase. She loved to go to the casino and loved the free pop machine. She wanted one for Christmas to put in her room. She loved McDonalds and Wendy’s and peanut butter cups and Dr. Pepper.
She is survived by aunt, Virginia (Pete) Kerbersky and great nephew, Josh Proehl.
She is also survived by her special friend at Bishop Noa, Pearl Pavlak, and also friends Don Weber and Clay Corrigan and many more at Bishop Noa. Special long time family friend Naomi Morin and many nieces and nephews also survive her:
Terry (Dennis) Buckley and Dillion and Denny
Cindy Johnson and Jason, Mellisa and Sara
Tom Johnson and Conrad
Liz (David) Ritche and David Jr., Matthew and Jonathan
Julie (Robert) Hardwick and Hayden and Logan
Patty(Gerry) Monticello and Ashleigh and PJ and the late Linzy Monticello (2014)
Jimmy Johnson and friend Jodi
Mary Fay (Steve) Daigneau and Landen, Brayden and Brody
Scott Johnson
Samantha (Jake) Kuehl and Kaleb and Karly
She was preceded in death by her gramas Hilda and Grace. She never knew her Grampas.
Special Aunts and Uncles Lucille (Chuck) Everette, Fay (Sandy) Sanderson. Special Uncle Fred (Agda) Ames and other aunts and uncles. She was also preceded in death by Great Nephew Drew Buckley.
Our very special thanks to Dr. Mary Whitmer and Dr. Milton Soderberg for their loving care. And thanks to the aides and nurses at the Bishop Noa Home that took care of Catherine while she was there. We hope they loved her as much as her family did. Also Special thanks to Sister Nanita, Sister Dorthea and Sister Rosalie for their kindness and prayers.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Delta County Right to Life, the Activities Department at Bishop Noa or a charity of choice.
Catherine
The Bill Morin Family - Kentwood, MI
An angel passed away a couple of days ago. She was a sweetie and loved by all. Her funeral is happening as I write this. I wish I was there. I have no doubt that she’s in God’s kingdom with all her loved ones and friends who preceded her in death. Goodbye, Cathy! We’ll all miss you until we join you some day.