Frances Virginia (Arntz) Johnson

Johnson, Frances 12/9/1923 - 10/4/2020 Grand Rapids On Oct 4, 2020, Frances Johnson, loving mother, grandmother, sister aunt, and friend, passed away gently in her sleep at the age of 96. Frances was born in 1923 in Cooks Corners, Michigan to Lila and Cleo Arntz. She married Donald Johnson in 1943 (twice). 

After the war ended in 1945, Frances and Donald settled in Charlotte, MI and founded the Johnson Iron foundry.  She worked in their growing business for 30-plus years serving as bookkeeper and auditor. She and Donald were married for 72 years. Frances resided in Charlotte, MI, Ft. Myers, FL, Harbor Springs, MI and Grand Rapids, MI, plus other locations while Donald trained as a B-17 pilot.  Frances lived her nearly 97 years with gusto.  She trained as a private pilot and flew all over the US with her pilot husband.  She enjoyed travel, shopping, fine dining, gardening, golf and skiing, mushroom hunting, her several big dogs, spending time at their cabin in the woods and most of all her growing family.   She was also an accomplished cook and loved to entertain.  Fran had a lively spirit and was a welcome addition to any conversation.  

Fran was preceded in death by her husband Donald and her sister Cathryn (Arntz/McGahon) Binnig.  She is survived by her son Craig Johnson and his wife Jane Hicks, of Grand Rapids, MI; grandchildren Hannah Johnson of Santa Barbara, CA, Sydney Johnson of Ann Arbor, MI, and Alexander Johnson of Grand Rapids, MI; brothers Ivan William “Bill” Arntz of Ft. Myers, FL and Thomas Arntz (Geraldine) of Woodinville, WA.  

No service is scheduled at this time.   Contributions in Frances’ memory may be made to Emmanuel Hospice and/or the Porter Hills Foundation.   

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