Obituary for Bonna Kay Crawford Johnson
Bonna Kay Crawford Johnson, age 89, of Blanchard and Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 26, 2020.
A Memorial Service for Bonna will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the home of Ken and Jann LaPointe, 930 N. County Line Road, Blanchard. Patti Hicks will officiate.
She was born on August 15, 1931, in Blanchard, the daughter of Thurston and Edna (Raymond) Mason. Bonna Kay graduated from Blanchard High School in 1949 and married Jack Crawford shortly thereafter on June 12, 1949. Together, they had four children. She was a farm wife and mother for many years, as well as a dance teacher and Physical Education teacher at Montabella Junior High before eventually retiring to Florida and embarking on a successful real estate career. She met Ken Johnson, whom she would later marry. Bonna Kay and Ken enjoyed splitting time between Florida and Michigan, traveling, camping, and spending time with friends and family. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Edmore, and First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, FL. Bonna Kay had a zest for life that she shared with all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was a dutiful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Her family was her proudest achievement and greatest love. Through the years, she always found time for fun. She was the Michigan State Potato Queen in 1948. In 1974, she was the state singles bowling champion. An accomplished dancer throughout her life, she could be found on the dance floor at any occasion. She taught dance for over 70 years, imparting her knowledge and passion to hundreds of students, young and old. In her later years, when it seemed she was slowing down, her loved ones would marvel every time she took the floor for a perfect waltz with her brother, Jim.
Bonna Kay is survived by her daughters, Jann (Ken) LaPointe of Blanchard; Jodi (Terry) Sexton of Alva, Florida; brothers Jerry (Helen) Mason of Elmira and Jim (Jill) Mason of Belding; stepdaughters Debra (Arnold Derrickson) Johnson and Denise (Don) Rahjes; grandchildren Kim (Gary) Jankowsky, Lori (Carey) Carlberg, Jake Crawford, Cortney (Zeke Mattis) Crawford, Abbi (Coy) Smith, Chris (Ashley) Sexton, Danielle (Teddy) LaPointe Soller, David (Allison) LaPointe, Dustin (Recia) Crawford, Brandon (Tori) Crawford; 17 great-grandchildren (two on the way), nine great-great-grandchildren (two on the way), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her family was truly the joy of her life.
She prayed for each and every family member every day up until her last. She was irreplaceable, and they will miss her dearly.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son Daniel; daughter Jacqueline; her first husband, Jack Crawford, second husband Ken Johnson, and great-grandson Alex Crawford. Cremation has taken place. The family is grateful to the staff of Green Acres and Care Team Hospice for the care and comfort they provided Bonna Kay in recent years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Care Team Hospice or the Montabella Community Schools Education Fund through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, which was established by Bonna Kay’s lifelong friends, Sharron and the late Ronald L. Farrell.
A Memorial Service for Bonna will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the home of Ken and Jann LaPointe, 930 N. County Line Road, Blanchard. Patti Hicks will officiate.
She was born on August 15, 1931, in Blanchard, the daughter of Thurston and Edna (Raymond) Mason. Bonna Kay graduated from Blanchard High School in 1949 and married Jack Crawford shortly thereafter on June 12, 1949. Together, they had four children. She was a farm wife and mother for many years, as well as a dance teacher and Physical Education teacher at Montabella Junior High before eventually retiring to Florida and embarking on a successful real estate career. She met Ken Johnson, whom she would later marry. Bonna Kay and Ken enjoyed splitting time between Florida and Michigan, traveling, camping, and spending time with friends and family. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Edmore, and First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, FL. Bonna Kay had a zest for life that she shared with all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was a dutiful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Her family was her proudest achievement and greatest love. Through the years, she always found time for fun. She was the Michigan State Potato Queen in 1948. In 1974, she was the state singles bowling champion. An accomplished dancer throughout her life, she could be found on the dance floor at any occasion. She taught dance for over 70 years, imparting her knowledge and passion to hundreds of students, young and old. In her later years, when it seemed she was slowing down, her loved ones would marvel every time she took the floor for a perfect waltz with her brother, Jim.
Bonna Kay is survived by her daughters, Jann (Ken) LaPointe of Blanchard; Jodi (Terry) Sexton of Alva, Florida; brothers Jerry (Helen) Mason of Elmira and Jim (Jill) Mason of Belding; stepdaughters Debra (Arnold Derrickson) Johnson and Denise (Don) Rahjes; grandchildren Kim (Gary) Jankowsky, Lori (Carey) Carlberg, Jake Crawford, Cortney (Zeke Mattis) Crawford, Abbi (Coy) Smith, Chris (Ashley) Sexton, Danielle (Teddy) LaPointe Soller, David (Allison) LaPointe, Dustin (Recia) Crawford, Brandon (Tori) Crawford; 17 great-grandchildren (two on the way), nine great-great-grandchildren (two on the way), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her family was truly the joy of her life.
She prayed for each and every family member every day up until her last. She was irreplaceable, and they will miss her dearly.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son Daniel; daughter Jacqueline; her first husband, Jack Crawford, second husband Ken Johnson, and great-grandson Alex Crawford. Cremation has taken place. The family is grateful to the staff of Green Acres and Care Team Hospice for the care and comfort they provided Bonna Kay in recent years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Care Team Hospice or the Montabella Community Schools Education Fund through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, which was established by Bonna Kay’s lifelong friends, Sharron and the late Ronald L. Farrell.