Wanda "Dee Dee" Johnson

Wanda “Dee Dee” Marleah (Grew) Johnson, age 77, of Mackinaw City, Michigan, died at home on November 5, 2022, after a very short battle with gastric cancer, with family by her side. She was born in Lansing, Michigan, on February 24, 1945, to William “Bill” Richard and Wanda Marleah (Cole) Grew. Dee Dee grew up in Lansing and graduated from J.W. Sexton High School. She attended Lansing Community College briefly, where she contemplated pursuing a psychology career or following her dream of becoming an archeologist. However, becoming a mom and starting a family became her calling. When her youngest child started school, she went to work for Dart National Bank in Holt, Michigan, for five years. In 1986, she started working at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism as their Graduate Studies Secretary for nineteen years before retiring in 2005. In retirement, she would call Mackinaw City home. Growing up, Dee Dee cherished listening to her father play boogie-woogie on the piano while drifting off to sleep, nightly. While her family was everything to her, and she enjoyed their travels and adventures, her favorite place to be was out in Shaftsburg, Michigan, on her grandma and grandpa’s farm. A place of pure joy, laughter, fun, and shenanigans with her cousins, Dee Dee made memories that lasted her lifetime. Her greatest love was family, especially her children and grandchildren. Dee Dee had a giant, kind heart that embraced a lot of people as her own family. It was an unspoken rule that if she knew someone was going to be alone for holidays, they were invited, and expected, to attend family meals and gatherings. Over the years she had an impact on many people in this way and to which they are forever grateful for her kindness and generosity. Whether singing with her dad, in her youth choir, flying down the highway or just in her living room with her kids, Dee Dee loved music. It was integral in her life. She also loved fast muscle cars and appreciated the work that went into them. Not many people knew that one of her passions was also boxing; she loved a good boxing match. Dee Dee cherished the time she had with her loved ones, even if it meant her house became full of crazy, raucous people coming together over good food and fun stories. She wholeheartedly cherished her grandbabies, honorary and biological alike, and reveled in their joy and laughter. Dee Dee was known for her sewing and hand-stitching hobbies. She even made her daughters’ and daughter-in-law’s wedding dresses. She delighted in spending time with her friends; playing cards, sipping beverages, or just talking about life. In retirement, Dee Dee relished the absence of a daily grind. She settled into hosting friends traveling through, attending her grandchildren’s performances, solving crossword puzzles, enjoying television programming that taught her everything from home repair DIY to forensic analysis, traveling to see family, as well as simply existing with her companion pets. Dee Dee will forever be remembered for her infectious smile, her raucous laughter, her bawdy disposition, and her penchant for good trouble. A quote that she wore with pride was, “Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History”. Dee Dee is survived by her daughters, Kristin (Suzie von B. & Ethan H.) Grew of Wisconsin, and Serena (John) Lake of Alanson, Michigan; son, Aaron (Dawn) Conlin of Webberville, Michigan; as well as her embraced children, Pat (Veronica Putman) Scott, Stuart (Arlyn) King, Amy Decker, and Grace (Kelli) Dingo; and grandchildren, Shannon (Austen Tomlinson) Conlin, William Conlin, Henry Lake, and Erin Lake; as well as Tilson, Kayden, and Bryson; and countless “honorary” children and grandchildren who knew her as mom or Grandma/Aunt Dee Dee. She is also survived by her closest and best friends, Cindy Duling and Irene Crandell; and her rekindled love, John Volz. Dee Dee is preceded in death by her parents, William and Wanda Grew; and her twin sister, Juanita “Nonnie” Kay Grew. Per Dee Dee’s wishes, no public services will be held at this time. Dee Dee had a soft spot for animals. She loved her own pets as children. She also adored horses. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for people to seek out their local animal shelter/sanctuary or horse sanctuary and make a donation in her name. Galer Funeral Home & Cremation in Pickford, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.

Tributes

Wanda "Dee Dee" Johnson

February 24, 1945 - November 5, 2022