Rose Marie Johnson

Rose Marie Johnson was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister and a friend to all who knew her. She always put the needs of her family first and would do anything for anyone. Beautiful in heart and spirit, she was “the brightest Rose in the world.”

Rose Marie was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Millard “Pete” and Bridgett (Calandrino) Beardsley on March 13, 1948. It was a time of sacrifice for citizens of the United States, as the nation was heavily invested in World War II and Allied Forces were nearing a long-awaited victory. Families made due with what they had in order to make life as good as they could for their children, and the Beardsley’s were no exception. Rose’s father worked at Evans Products while her mother worked at General Motors, and together they cared for their eight children: Mary, Richard, Pete, Chuck, Rose, Carol, Carl and David.

The family lived on Courtney NW in Grand Rapids, and Rose attended St. Mary's Elementary School and Union High School. By her parents’ example, Rose learned to work hard. Her first job was at the Tea Garden on Division Avenue, and later she worked at Jackson Products for what would be 32 years of invaluable service.

Rose was an independent working woman when she met the man who would become her husband. At the time, she was dating someone else, but thanks to mutual friends, she was introduced to Terry Johnson and the two of them quickly became acquainted. After that first meeting, he decided to call her and they began dating. They fell in love and were married a year later on December 26, 1967 by a Justice of the Peace. The location of their wedding made for a good story. Rose and Terry spoke their vows in Schoolcraft, Michigan…at a barber shop.

At the time the couple met, Terry had been working at Kelvinators, but later he got a job at the same company where Rose worked, Jackson Products. They lived in several apartments before settling into a home they bought on Lester Avenue, then Dick Avenue and finally on Watson Street SW.

The happy couple became parents the summer of 1968, when Tammie was born in July. Their son Terry was born in June of 1970, and the family was complete with the arrival of Christie in September of 1974. The three children attended Covell and Northview elementary schools, and like their mother, went on to Union High School. Balancing work and home, Rose managed to put out great meals, with spaghetti and meatballs, scalloped potatoes and beef stew being among her specialties. She was also an excellent pie maker, and particularly at Thanksgiving, everyone in the family received a delicious homemade pumpkin pie.

Besides caring for her family, Rose stayed in regular contact with her siblings and was especially close to her mother. Many times, Rose and her mom showed up at Creston VFW Post to play bingo or to visit the casinos together. The two of them were quite a pair, and it was good they had each other when Rose’s father died in 1980. The families got together regularly throughout the year, and in the summers, Rose’s family had reunions at Long Lake on the 4th of July and Terry’s family met up in Coldwater. Family was very important to Rose.

When Rose became a grandmother, her love of family only increased. Her natural attraction to games became even more fun when shared with her grandchildren. She loved to play poker and other cards games, computer and board games, like Monopoly and Yatzee. She sat right down to watch kids’ TV shows with them, and perhaps they tuned into her favorite shows, Wheel of Fortune and The Young and the Restless. Rose was a delight to her family, and she loved them dearly.

Sadly, Rose passed away on April 6, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. In December 2008, she had been diagnosed with lymphoma and was receiving chemotherapy treatments at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She was responding well, but signs of the disease recurred in February 2009. More recently, her health had begun to diminish, and Rose was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital, where it was determined that little more could be done for her. All the while, Rose’s family kept a constant vigil, and they were by her side when she died on Monday afternoon at 3:52 PM.

Rose was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Rose Marie Johnson, aged 61 of Grand Rapids, is survived by her husband of 43 years, Terry Johnson; her children, Tammie Johnson, Terry (Gail) Johnson, Christie Johnson; 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; her mother, Bridgett Crittendon; her sisters and brothers, Mary Martinez, Carol Diaz, Pete Beardsley, Chuck (Nancy) Beardsley; her sister-in-law, Lori Crittendon; many nieces, nephews and friends. Rose was preceded in death by her father Millard Beardsley, her step-father Carl Crittendon and her brothers, Richard Beardsley, David Crittendon and Carl Crittendon. A service to celebrate Rose’s life will be held on Friday morning at 11:00 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. NW. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM and again on Friday from 10 AM until the service begins. Contributions may be made to the VanAndel Institute for Cancer Research. To read more about Rose’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com