Mary M. (Fritz) Johnson

Mary M. (Fritz) Johnson, age 90 of West Branch, passed away Monday, March 13, 2006 at Bortz Health Care in West Branch. Mary was born August 7, 1915 in Ogemaw County to Joseph L. and Ada L. (Reetz) Fritz. She was one of four children and grew up on a 80 acre farm on Campbell Road. She graduated from high school in 1936 and began waitressing in a local restaurant. The oil boom had brought many outsiders to the area, and one day Fred Johnson of Indiana came into the restaurant. The two were married August 13, 1936 and settled in West Branch. In 1954, Mary was one of the key people involved in bringing Little League into the area. She served as the first president of the women's auxiliary for Little League and held many fund-raisers including a "Bloomer Girl Basketball team". The original league had four teams and Mary's son J.O. played on the red team. In 1955 the Johnsons opened a small grocery store right beside the house, named Johnson's store. Even though it was considered a general store, it became famous around town for the Penny Candy they sold. The store closed in 1965. Mary was responsible for the first organized council of Girl Scouts in Ogemaw County. She took a special interest in girl scouting, as all three of her daughters were Scouts. She was a lifetime member and her special love was camping. She was awarded numerous badges and pins and was involved in Girl Scouts for 62 years. She was also a Cub Scout den leader of which J.O. was a member. In addition to all her volunteer activities, which included the American Cancer Society, the Ogemaw County Historical Society from 1989 to 2005, the Commission on Aging and the West Branch Senior Center, Johnson was somehow able to hold several positions at Surline Middle School and Elementary School in West Branch that included playground supervisor, working in the kitchen and helping with a reading program, just to name a few. In 1968, she began working for the District Health Department #2 as a home health aide and was employed for 12 years from 1968 to 1980. She would go above and beyond the call of duty, performing such tasks as laundry and grocery shopping and one day even retrieved a patient's cat from a tree. After her retirement from the health department, Johnson volunteered with Hospice of Helping Hands in 1982 and was involved with the basic organization of the agency. She was also known as the "Sunshine Lady", as she would send cards and letters of hope to everyone, and she worked on the grief recovery seminars. October 27 is the official "Mary Johnson Day", proclaimed by the mayor of West Branch, Todd Thompson in 1999, to honor her many years of dedeicated service to all the people of Ogemaw County. Mary is survived by her children, Geraldine David of Gaylord, Janet Williams of Burton, Margaret "Maggie" (Michael Winters) and J.O. (Rita) Johnson all of West Branch, 24 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren with another expected soon and 13 great-great grandchildren with another expected soon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred just three weeks shy of their 50th wedding anniversary in 1986, twin daughters, Barbara Jane and Betty Elaine Johnson, her parents, Joseph L. and Ada L. Fritz, her sister, Ada W. Fritz, her brothers, Hearold and Howard Fritz and her son in law, Karl David. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Thursday, March 16, 2006 from 7-9 p.m. and Friday, March 17, 2006 from 12-9 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Dan Stoneback will officate with burial following at Brookside Cemetery, West Branch. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Helping Hands, 337 E. Houghton Ave., West Branch, or to the Ogemaw County Humane Society.