Kathie Johnson

Kathie Johnson was a creative soul whose love for drawing, sewing, and helping others shaped her life. A woman who embraced each moment as a gift, Kathie devoted herself to teaching and modeling the importance of faith, love, and kindness while always striving to serve others with a joyful heart. A wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, Kathie will long be remembered and so dearly missed.

Kathie was born on December 26, 1940. Throughout her life, she considered herself the gift Santa forgot to deliver the day before. Kathie would make paper dolls for other little girls when she was very young. The other girls asked her to make them paper dolls because she could draw so beautifully. As she grew older, her talents increased and she was a natural caretaker. In fact, while in high school, she lived with the Davis family and worked as their children's nanny.

While attending a Youth for Christ roller skating rink event, Kathie met Don Johnson, the most handsome boy at the rink. Their instant spark grew into an enduring love, and on April 14, 1962, they were married in Otsego, Michigan, and celebrated their nuptials with a honeymoon at a motel in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.

The newlyweds bought their first home together and began a family with the birth of their son, Jeffrey, in 1963. Two years later, their daughter Susan Johnson was born, and in 1967, their family was complete when their son David was born. Kathie loved her family and happily committed herself to providing them with a loving and supportive home rooted in faith and the importance of serving others.

Kathie loved Jesus and served Him in every moment. For many years, she taught Sunday School to primary-age children, and, as with her own children, she helped them learn how to love others through their actions. Kathie loved Old Fashioned Christian Hymns, and her favorite Bible verses were Proverbs 3:5-6; "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." A week before she died, she told her daughter, "I'm going to Beaulah Land (Heaven)."

Kathie's love of sewing for her family and others kept her busy. Even in her final months, she worked continued making felt paper dolls for her great-grandchildren. Throughout the last year, she also made felt paper dolls for 48 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and dresses made from pillowcases. The shoeboxes went to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. Kathie was always busy making something or finding out how to make something for someone, hoping to inspire their smile.

Without a doubt, Kathie's greatest joy was her family. She loved gathering her loved ones for celebrations, decorating with festive paper plates and napkins, and giving little presents to everyone. Her children and grandchildren knew she expected a hug from each of them, and even at the end, she cherished the hugs she shared with her loved ones.

Over the years, Kathie enjoyed many family vacations. Memorable trips were taken to Lake Superior to watch the ships cross the water, Pentwater, Lake Michigan, and the Badlands in South Dakota. After she moved to Florida, she discovered the joy of traveling on cruises! She loved watching the water on the boat, eating wonderful food, learning how to fold napkins, taking pictures, and exploring new places. Her brother, Jimmy, will always remember how she loved planning trips for him and his wife to enjoy. Shipshewana, Indiana, and Lake Michigan were two of their favorite destinations.

Grandson Kevin cherishes the memories of her making no-bake chocolate peanut butter cookies and doing arts and crafts with him. He was impressed when she made mats for the homeless out of plastic bags from stores. He also remembers picking blackberries in her backyard. Granddaughter Destiny will never forget how her grandmother called her "Rosebud," while her daughter Susan remembers how she always wanted to go to the Bin Store! She also enjoyed getting surprise presents and loved having fun events to attend. Her husband, Don, describes Kathie as always living for others, traits that live on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A woman who lived wholeheartedly, Kathie showed us how to live life to the fullest, steadfastly choosing faith, hope, and love at every turn. Even in the most difficult times, Kathie chose to add joy to the world. When her nurses asked her if she needed anything, with her customary good humor, she would say, "$2,000 and a chocolate shake."

Kathie Johnson of Kalamazoo, age 83, died on December 9, 2024. Surviving are her husband, Donald Johnson; children: Jeffrey (Beth) Johnson, Susan (Jim) Fisher, and David (Kay) Johnson; grandchildren: Sarah Johnson-Rios (Daniel), Jenny Morse (Caleb), Jeremy Johnson, Rebecca DeDoes (Andrew), Kevin Fisher, Destiny Fisher, Andrew Johnson (Stephanie), Nathan (Britta), Daniel Johnson (Amy), Melissa Johnson; great-grandchildren: Olivia Morse, Micah Johnson, Samuel Johnson, Brooklyn Johnson, Emily Johnson, Rowan Johnson, Piper Johnson, Oliver Johnson, and Eliana Johnson; siblings: Grace Holcomb, Jim Penny (Susan), brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: John Johnson (Paula), Carolyn Delach (Jim), Stan Johnson (Trish), Brian Johnson (Shannon); and numerous loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her great-grandson, Liam Morse.

Please join us for Visitation on Saturday, December 21, from 10:30-11:00 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A Life Story Service will begin at 11 AM at the funeral home. A luncheon will follow at Faith Baptist Church in Mattawan. Celebrate Kathie's life online by sharing favorite stories and photos on her personalized webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child or Faith Baptist Church.