Kathleen Mae (Gross/Tynan) Johnson, 86 of Shepherd, MI passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025, surrounded by family. Kathy was born November 28th 1938, in Ithaca, Michigan to Henry and Ruth (Potter) Gross. She was one of eight children. Kathy, graduated from Alma High School in 1956. She worked for many years at General Telephone (GTE) in Alma, before transferring to Muskegon. She retired from GTE and took a job with Harding’s Stores doing their accounts payable in Richland, MI, she retired and went back again to Harding’s, when they needed her. She was often teased about continually retiring and just wanting another retirement party. Kathy was a loving sister, mother, grandmother and friend and will be deeply missed by her family. She was the heart of her family and a very strong and independent woman. She would do anything for anyone and would always be willing to cook up a meal to feed you. One of her favorite sayings was “You better eat now because you’ll never know when you will eat again,” with many family favorites including her potato salad that no one else has been able to quite perfect. She was also known for her canned relish and pickled beets. She would also make many pumpkin rolls every fall to pass out to her family and friends throughout the holiday season. Kathy was an avid reader and knitter and had an extensive collection of both yarn and books. She also loved playing cards, dominos and doing jigsaw puzzles. She also enjoyed many years of bowling and camping with her husband, Ray. She never missed out on a chance to go shopping or to a garage sale, which she greatly missed doing with her best friend Tootie. Kathy loved watching sports, especially college football, the March Madness tournament and the World Series little league tournament. Kathy was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Johnson, her parents and her 7 brothers and sisters, Warren, Butch, Tom, Ted, Marlene, Lynda and Pat and one infant great-grandson Grady James. Kathy is survived by her children, Alan (Patty) Tynan, Deb Tynan, Bill (Angie) Tynan, Kathy Sue (Tom) Girrbach, Susie (Miguel) Ortiz. Grandchildren; Jessica (Bryce) Updegraff, Bethany (Chad) Snook, Veronica (Alex) Dawe, Nathan (Cindy) Tynan, Jameson (Daasha) Webster, Aaron (Jenna) Tynan, Amanda (Tim) Luka, Lindsey (Justin) Tiffenbeck, Cody (Leah) Tynan, Seth (Sara) Tynan. Great grandchildren; Peyton, Sayer, Avery, Jack, Lila, Tyler, Aspen, Ellie, Everleigh, Braxton, Hudson, Gavin, Goldie, Stella and Sage, as well as many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.
Services for Kathy will be Friday, April 11 at noon at Berry Funeral Home of Shepherd with visitation from 10 A.M. until time of service. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Alma.
