Date of Death: September 30, 2025
Service Details
In accordance with family wishes, cremation will be conducted; no services are planned.
Obituary Notice
Beatrice Pauline Johnson, 97, of Three Rivers, joined the heavenly choir on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. She passed away at Wolf Rivers Assisted Living surrounded by her loving family.
She was born August 5, 1928 in Ewen, Michigan, the 16th of Johan and Kaisa (Luokkanen) Paldan’s 17 children.
Bea worked as an administrative assistant for the Dean of the Dental School at the University of Michigan. After retirement from the U of M, along with her husband Leonard, she ran Aunt Bea’s bed & breakfast for 20 years in the Upper Peninsula community of Curtis. She had a special talent for baking pies and pasty’s.
She loved music in all forms, singing in many choirs that required an audition and eventually caught the attention of a reporter from the Detroit News, who featured her in an article.
As a very young teenager, she sang on the radio in Detroit and actually cut a few records. She got the attention of a big band out of New York and was invited to perform in New York at age 16. She chose to keep her talent local, singing at many functions including weddings. She regularly participated with the choir of First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville, and played four instruments – organ, dulcimer, guitar, and violin.
Remaining to cherish Bea’s memory are two sons, Leonard Karl Johnson and Robert Fredrick Johnson (Debbie Tomasovic); two daughters, Nancy Jo (Harold) Standish and Beth Lynn (David) Houts; grandchildren, Matthew Houts, Sara (Blake) Wilson, Spencer Johnson, Jordan Johnson, and Alexa (Chase) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Marley Jo Wilson, Cooper Wilson, and Skylar Johnson; and many nieces and nephews who also liked to visit their bed & breakfast.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, in 2013; her parents; and all 16 siblings.
Additional Information
Donations in Bea’s memory may be directed to American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at Hohner Funeral Home.
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Bea was such a blessing to me,Enjoyed having tea & lunch & doing her hair. She came into my Hair Studio and singing praises to Our Lord Jesus. People would set and listen ,she knew how to captivate an audience! Sing on my friend ,this is not the end ,only the begining of beautiful a eternity ,giving praise & glory to our Heavenly Father. Till we meet again,I thank God ,He let you cross my path.
Bea baked me a pie for my birthday. She was a kind woman who was always positive and energetic, and I respected her greatly. I’m sure she is singing her songs for everyone in heaven.
Nancy.
Sending hugs to you at this sad time.
Sue Eickhoff
Mendon
A beautiful lady inside and out. She will always have a special spot in my heart.
What an amazing woman Bea was! She had so many interests and so many talents. She was very kind and very generous. Being with her was always a joy. She will be missed. And there is no doubt she is singing with the angels.
A beloved friend and woman of so many talents.
Bea taught me so much and shared her love, life and wisdom with me.
I am forever grateful to have been gifted by her life.
God received an angel.
To her family. My prayers are with you.
I have known Mom Bea for 70 years. She worked hard and raised a beautiful family along with her husband Leonard who was an absolute hoot. She took such good care of him in his final years and then enjoyed time with her family and church friends. She made me the most beautiful and delicious apple pie just a few years ago. She is leading the choir in heaven right now.💕
As a daughter in law, I could not have been more fortunate than to have been invited into Bea’s family with such warmth, humor, and sincerity of heart. She modeled compassion and care, long after it was easy to do. She was loved and will be dearly missed.
Bea taught me many things about music. I will always appreciate her.