Rosemary Johnson

Throughout her rich and rewarding life there was nothing of greater importance to Rosemary Johnson than being surrounded by her beloved family.

It was during the dark days of the Great Depression that a bustling family from Grand Rapids, Michigan, welcomed a healthy baby girl into the fold on August 4, 1934. Rosemary was the fourth of seven children born to her parents, Francis Joseph and Laura (Maynard) Balsitis, and she was raised in the family home at 2842 Eastern Avenue alongside her siblings, Adeline “Sparky,” Frank, Alma, Richard, Nina, and Barbara Jean. She could often be found rollerskating as a young girl, at times with her lifelong friend, Jean Kruse. The Balsitis family was members of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, and Rosemary attended local school through the 11th grade, although she later earned her GED. After the school day she worked at several dime stores in downtown Grand Rapids. Rosemary later spent 27 years working at Meijer.

Life was forever changed for Rosemary when she met man who stole her heart. His name was Harvey Johnson, and they met through mutual friends. They began dating, and although he served in the military for two and a half years they corresponded through letters. Deeply in love, they married on November 14, 1953, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. They moved around a bit but eventually settled into their lifelong home on Lamont in 1963.

Together Rosemary and Harvey were blessed with five children, Harvey, Roxann, Kathleen, Pamela, and Karen. They enjoyed camping and later bought a trailer at Big Bend Park in the Croton-Hardy area. Being on the pontoon boat was a family favorite, and Rosemary loved fishing. She was extraordinary in the kitchen and made the best chicken and dumplings, biscuits and gravy, and cornbread dressing and chili. Christmas was a time to spend together as their family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rosemary looked forward to visits with these younger generations, and she always remembered their special days.

In her free time Rosemary enjoyed tending to her flowers, bowling on leagues for a time, reading mystery and romance novels, and watching her favorite soap operas, especially General Hospital. After retiring Rosemary and Harvey did some traveling to Florida and Las Vegas as she loved visiting casinos.

We will remember Rosemary Johnson for her infectious laughter, her unique sense of humor, and her warm smile, but it was her unconditional love that will be her lasting legacy.

Rosemary Johnson, aged 78 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Thursday afternoon, January 24, 2013, in the presence of her loving family. She was preceded in death by her son, Harvey Johnson Jr., and her daughter, Roxann Ledford. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Harvey Johnson Sr; her children, Kathleen and Richard Kowalczyk, Pamela and Jack Ashley, Karen and Thomas Plaska; her son-in-law, Robert Ledford Sr; her grandchildren, Robert (Missy) Ledford Jr., Kimberly Ledford, Richard Kowalczyk, Holly Kowalczyk, Melissa Plaska (Roger Gard), Katie Plaska; 9 great grandchildren; her sisters, Alma Huffman, Barbara Jean Gomber, Nina (Louis) Jost; her sister-in-law, Dorothy Balsitis; many other nieces, nephews and friends. Rosemary was a loving and dedicated, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral service. Contributions in her memory may be made to the VanAndel Institute for Cancer Research. To read more about Rosemary’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com