Alice J. Johnson

Alice was born in National Mine on March 3, 1935, a daughter of the late Elsie (Laakonen) and Matt Annala. She was a graduate of National Mine High School, Class of 1953. Alice first worked at her family’s store Annala’s General Store in National Mine. She went on to work for Bell Telephone Co. in Ishpeming as an operator. Alice then concentrated on her young family for some years while serving as a secretary at the National Mine School. She went back to school in the late 1960’s and received her teaching degree from NMU in 1973 and later a master’s degree in 1983. She worked as a teacher and librarian at the National Mine School for 20 years prior to her retirement.

Alice was an active and devoted member of Faith Lutheran Church. She and her late husband “Buck” traveled extensively. Some of their adventures included attending Westwood High School Boys and Girls basketball games, going to local and out of town casinos with friends, taking Debbi Tours, which included getting stranded in Italy during 9/11. They visited many of the National Parks and took several trips to spend time along the Gulf of Mexico. Alice enjoyed reading, wildflowers, blueberry picking and made the best blueberry pies. Time spent at Schweitzer Basin, at the Annala Homestead, was also time she cherished. Alice did volunteer work for the Ishpeming Community Federal Credit Union (TruNorth) serving on the education committee, along with the US National Ski Hall of Fame where she was instrumental in the set-up of the library. Alice served on the board and was past president of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP).

Survivors include a daughter, Jill (Roger) Mullins, a son, Jeffrey (Marion) Johnson, 6 grandchildren – Jaclyn Johnson, Molly (Drew) Marod, Kara (Jon) Valenzuela, Ashley Dix, Alyssa Dix, Cassandra (Kyle) Kotajarvi, 4 great grandchildren – Kellie Miles, Jaedon Pole, Everett and Isabella Hill, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, whom she married on Sept. 26, 1953, Clarence “Buck” Johnson in 2022, daughter, Jodi Dix, infant son, David Johnson, sisters, Jean Magnuson, Nancy Leitinger and Mary Annala and brother Ramon “Ray” Annala.

The Family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00am – 12:00pm on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 180 Co Rd PPO, Ishpeming. Funeral services will follow at Noon with Bishop Emeritus Thomas Skrenes officiating. A luncheon will follow the services in the church hall. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Alice’s grandchildren.

Alice’s service will be livestreamed which can be found on Faith Lutheran Church’s Facebook page facebook.com/faithinishpeming/.

Memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church 180 Co. Rd. PPO Ishpeming, MI 49849 in memory of Alice.

The family wishes to say a special Thank You to the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library Staff for their kindness, and her longtime neighbor Mike Salmer for his handyman help.

Alice’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.