On September 16, 2024, our beloved Mom, Delores (Dodo) Johnson decided it was time to hang up her polka shoes, and move on from her earthly journey.

When you met our Mom, you loved her immediately. She was larger than life and had a laugh that would disarm you before the soup she had just set in front of you had a chance to cool.

Our Mom was compassionate, yet brutally honest, hard as hell but still somehow approachable and understanding.

Our Mom navigated through so many loses in her life, from her parents, to her spouse, to her siblings, her nephews and her best friend. Somehow though, she was always undeterred, forever standing firm, a super boisterous beacon of what’s right in this world. Mom could take a punch and throw a mean right hook in return.

Mom loved ALL of her people. Whether it was our Family, her friends or our friends, there was always an open seat at her table, no matter the hour.

I vividly remember, long after I had moved away, running back to Mom during the darkest moments of my life, and her causally whipping up a jello salad and some chicken foot stew at 2am. There’s no love like your Mom’s love.

Mom especially adored her grandchildren (Mick, David and Ellen), likely more than anything else in this world. I swear she would stab a bear to protect our kids. Mom loved fiercely and kindly and of course, loudly.

The last few years of Mom’s life weren’t ideal. It was a struggle, and it wasn’t always pretty. Mom never gave up though, she pushed through until the very end.

If I had a nickel for every time she uttered “god dammit, Dave, let’s get out of here” I’d be a rich man. Somehow though, I still feel like a rich man because I was given 47 years with mom, and Steve 49 years.

Mom was preceded in death by;

Guy Johnson, Husband

Elaine and Joe Bartos, Mother and Father

Carol (Fred) Marger, Sister

Sandy (Andy) Bandenieks, Sister

Patty (Don) Van Ess, Sister

Kyle and Dale Bandenieks, Nephews

Jan Koepke, Best friend in this whole dang world

Mom is survived by;

Ellen (Fred) Crow, Sister

Joe (Diane) Bartos, Brother

Steve (Maivis) Johnson, Son

Dave (Candace) Johnson, Son

Denise (Eric) Horoky, best special Niece ever

Grandchildren Mickey Guy Johnson, David and Ellen Johnson

Kathy McKenzie, amazing friend

Per Mom’s wishes, there will be no formal services. We will however be getting everyone together this Fall for a proper celebration of the Dodo we all knew and loved.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Hospice of West Michigan.

This world just got a shade darker and a bit quieter.