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Annetta C. (Anita) Johnston, age 96 of Cheboygan, formerly of Onaway, died March 26, 2008 at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital.
Anita was born March 8, 1912 in Marathon, Wisconsin to Benhardt and Mathilda (Matz) Werner. She moved to Onaway in 1922 with her father and stepmother, Eva. She attended Onaway High School, leaving midway through the 10th grade to enter the work force.
She married Roland Johnston on November 24, 1932 in Waverly Township. The couple made their home on Hutchinson Road near Onaway, where they raised their five children.
Anita was a devoted Pastor's wife as Roland served as pastor to a congregation in Cheboygan from 1954 to 1967 and then in Atlanta from 1967 until his death in 1976.
Her children have many fond memories, but in particular they recall their home being open for many 4-H and church youth group activities with their mother preparing tasty treats and graciously tolerating the clean-up afterwards. She was honored to have been named "Mother of the Year" by the local chapter of Future Farmers of America one year.
Anita was employed as a cook at the Onaway School for a number of years. She also enjoyed cooking for many camps at the church's campgrounds, Park of the Pines, near Boyne City.
Anita spent several years taking care of her father in his later years. Shortly after his death in 1986, she moved to Lynn Street Manor in Onaway. During her years there, she enjoyed many close friendships, volunteering at the Dorcas House, and baking cookies for the neighbors. Following an illness in 2002, Anita moved to Cheboygan to live with her children. She spent her summers with her daughter and son-in-law, Doris and Gene Beach and her winters with her son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Betty Johnston.
Anita was a charter member of the Waverly Frienship Club, and looked forward to their monthly meetings. She was also a member of the Community of Christ Church and spent uncountable hours helping with activities, both in Onaway and Cheboygan congregations.
Her hobbies included gardening, embroidery, and quilt making. In her younger years, she loved growing a huge garden so there was plenty to preserve for the family and enough to give away when there was a need. She also enjoyed tending her many flower beds. Anita dearly loved to watch birds and other wild life come to her bird feeders. Her greatest pleasures in life have been spending time with her family and just staying busy, especially if it was helping someone else.
Anita, a beloved mother and grandmother, is survived by her daughters, Verna Carpenter of Ogdensburg, New York, Doris (Gene) Beach of Cheboygan, Betty (John) Beauchamp of Bay City, and Ina (Robert) Worthington of Cheboygan; son, Robert (Betty) Johnston of Cheboygan; 19 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren; many great, great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roland Johnston; parents, Benhardt, Mathilda, and Eva (Foster) Werner; brothers, Glenn, Jim, and Eugene Foster and William Werner; sisters, Verna Werner, Catherine (Foster) Heiden, and Caroline (Werner) Scott; sons-in-law, Rollin Carpenter and
Cecil Briggs; and grandson, Edwin Briggs. |
