Geraldine A. "Geri" Johansen Obituary (1937 - 2022)

Geraldine Ann "Geri" Johansen, age 85, went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from her home. She died peacefully with her family surrounding her from the effects of dementia and Parkinson's. Geri was born in Lakeview on February 23, 1937. Geri graduated from Greenville High School in 1955. One of her greatest joys of high school was playing her clarinet in the marching band. This developed her love of music, which she enjoyed throughout her life. Geri earned an Associate's Degree from Davenport Institute, which was instrumental in her being hired at Federal Mogul as secretary to the plant manager. Other jobs during high school that helped to shape Geri's love for flower arranging and cooking, were working at Clark Flowers, and cooking at a local camp during the summer. On August 24, 1957, Geri married John M. Johansen. Geri first met John when she was in the 7th grade and he was in the 9th grade. They rode the same bus and it did not take long for the lovely and shy Geraldine to catch his eye. He began saving a seat for her every day and they became friends. Geri was a loving mother to her three sons, a dedicated homemaker, a loyal wife, and a loving grandmother and great-grandmother. She supported John's military and professional career as they moved twenty-four times in the first forty years of their marriage! The family moved to various states, and also Germany, where she gave birth to her second son, Steven. Geri's interests and hobbies included landscaping, gardening, cooking, preserving food, interior decorating, traveling, hiking, canoeing, and playing Euchre. She served on various committees at church and was a member of the card club. However, her most treasured time in life was spending time with her family. A quote Geri made at her 60th class reunion was, "My pleasure in life is serving my family and my community." To say that Geri lived up to her words is an understatement. Her family and friends adored her as much as she did them. God blessed Geri with a beautiful and graceful presence, and she in turn was a faithful servant of her Lord. She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Williams, who passed before her birth; infant sister, Beverly Ann Howes; her mother, Hazel Howes; and her step-father, Frank Howes. Geraldine Ann Williams Johansen will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of her husband of 65 years, John M. Johansen; their three sons, Jeffery & Dolores Johansen, Steven & Anne Johansen, and David & Rosalie Johansen; four grandchildren, Rachel & Stephen, Andrew & Veronica, John David, and Nathan; two great-grandchildren, Freya and Wren; her brother, Gary & Connie Howes; her sister, Barbara & Tom Worden; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 8th and from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, December 9th at Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 S. Johnson Road, Gowen, with the Rev. Betsy Kamphuis and the Rev. Ed Ruble officiating. A luncheon will follow the ceremony and private family committal services will take place later at Monroe Cemetery. th The family thanks the long-term health caregivers that have supported Geri for the last four-plus years, as well as Spectrum Health Hospice staff for their kindness and wonderful care provided to her. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Settlement Lutheran Church or Spectrum Health Hospice would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and at the church.