Frances’ Obituary Ishpeming, MI- Frances L. Johnson, age 90, longtime Ishpeming resident passed away on Wednesday January 30, 2019 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming with her family at her side. Frances Laila (Edwards) Johnson was born June 22, 1928 in National Mine, MI. She graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1946.
Frances married James Rolland Johnson on January 17, 1949. They owned and operated the Ishpeming Steam Bath during the 60’s until the mid-70’s “Where You Really Relax! ”.
She worked for the Bell Telephone Company and continued meeting “The Bell Girls” on a monthly basis for lunch up until her health would no longer allow it. She also worked at Goldie’s, the Style Shop, Dubinsky’s, and Steins, as she was an accomplished seamstress. She enjoyed volunteering for several community groups.
Fran played the piano extraordinarily well and always loved to fill the house with music. She sang with the Lake Superior Chapter and the Snow Country Chorus, “Sweet Adeline’s”. She also sang bass with Superior Connection, Peninsula Connection and Key Change barbarshop quartets.
She loved to play cards and was an avid bridge player along with cribbage, May I, pinochle, and crazy eights which she enjoyed playing with her grand and great-grand kids. Frances was a past President of Superior Land Duplicate Bridge Club and was a Golden Age Master of the American Contract Bridge League receiving many trophies for her bridge playing. In her earlier years, she enjoyed oil painting.
She enjoyed ballroom dancing as well as participating in the Suomi Kutsuu dances. She loved to go dancing with her friends, whether it was the jitterbug, swing dancing, and even line dancing. Frances enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the States along with abroad to France, Greece, Italy, and Cancun.
Frances is survived by 4 children- Lynn (Jim) Solomon of Negaunee, Stephen (Dona) Johnson of Champion, Barbara (Ronald) Eheman of Negaunee, Mark (Anita) Johnson of Fort Mill, SC, brother- William (Julianne) Quayle, 10 grandchildren- Shari (John) Silverstone, Dani (Jason) Solomon-Lundwall, Jessica (Terry) Peters, Casey Johnson, Kelly (Duncan) Murdock, Barry Eheman, Timothy Johnson, Trey (Gibbi) Johnson, Thomas Romano, Victoria Romano, 11 great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and step-father- Lempi Kokkila Quayle and Earl Quayle, her father- Francis J. Edwards, husband- James Rolland Johnson, her traveling and dancing partner- Foy Arbour, and her great grandchild- Trista Peters. Frances’ family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 AM Friday, February 1, 2019 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Friday with Rev. Fr. Ryan Ford as celebrant.
A luncheon will follow in the K/D Hall. The Family wishes to thank the staff of the 300 Wing at MCMCF, Dr’s Lloyd Hooper and Jonathan Housman, and Lake Superior Hospice for their wonderful care of our Mother. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in memory of Frances.
Frances’ obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.
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