Johanna’s Obituary Big Rapids – Johanna M. (Salvati) Allen, 90, of Big Rapids, passed away Friday, January 4, 2019, at her residence. She was born April 5, 1928 in Aussig, Czechoslovakia, the daughter of Anton and Josefine (Trojan) Mederzizky. Johanna moved to Auburn, NY in 1952, and then moved to the area in 1959.
Johanna taught German and English at Morley-Stanwood High School for 20 years. The following is Johanna’s own words. “My ambition in life was to contribute to a better world with universal peace and understanding.
One by one, with determination, we can do it. Although my life was filled with many adversities, it was also rewarded with many joys and riches, especially through my family, through educating the young as a teacher, and the blessings of a long golden age. I tried to live my life with discipline, endurance and love in my heart, struggling with the motto of my youth: Let the of all my action be inspired by LOVE”.
Johanna is survived by her 6 children, Marc (Brenda) Salvati of Kansas, Bryce (Elaine) Salvati of Stanwood, Keith (Lisa) Salvati of St. Joseph, Karen (James) Ackroyd of Big Rapids, Eric (Reyne) Salvati of Stanwood, and Kirk (Patti) Salvati of Newaygo; a daughter-in-law Rebecca Salvati of Grand Blanc; special daughter Kathy Wendling of Big Rapids; 15 grandchildren, Kyle, Kara, Marc, Sarah, Michelle, Theresa, Nathan, Hannah, Jacob, Josef, Jeffrey, Daniel, Matthew, Christine, and Kaitlin; 16 great-grandchildren; Colin, Noel, Maxwell, Leif, Liam, Liesel, Lincoln, Madison, Johanna, Isabella, Morgan, Elise, June, Ahlivia, Marshall, and Paige, 5 step-children, Russell, Keith and Kevin Allen, Barbara Frank, and Ruth Lathrop; and step-grandson, Albert Allen. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Dr. David T. Salvati and Archibald “Kelly” Allen, her son Dr. David T. Salvati, Jr., her good friend Dr. Dwain Cummings, (the Buffalo Doctor), and her brother Adolf. A thank you to Arthur Bennett for having been a true friend to Johanna, helping to make her last years bloom with movies, dinners at Schuberg’s, and trips to the Grand Rapids Symphony.
A celebration of Johanna’s life was previously held on June 30, 2018, shortly after her 90th birthday. Her family will hold private graveside services at the Summit Cemetery near Williamston. Johanna loved the magic of flowers, and enjoyed them when tending them around her house, Now, in lieu of them, please consider contributions in her name to the Language Arts Department of Morley-Stanwood High School, “Let knowledge bloom!
” or Spectrum Health Hospice. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.
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