Kathie
Kathie A. Johnson
Surrounded by her family and the laughter and stories of her life, Kathie passed away at home on September 18, 2022.
Kathie Amanda Johnson (Kate) was born on September 22, 1949 in Tustin, Michigan to Robert and Opal Johnson. She graduated from Marion High School in 1968 and Central Michigan University in 1972. For 30 years she was a high school English Teacher at Wayland Union High School in Wayland, Michigan where she was awarded the Katheryn Lorraine Brenner Outstanding Teacher Award in 2004. After retirement she was adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University School of Education, training and mentoring new teachers as she had mentored colleagues and student teachers during her tenure at Wayland.
For 40 years she and Bart Volkers partnered in life, travel, grandparenting, and creating a home together in Otsego, Michigan. After retirement they spent winters in Tavernair, Florida and created a new community of friends who became family.
Kate loved travel and she and Bart spend many spring breaks in Jamaica. She traveled to Europe with friends and family and a trip to Israel with church friends and family. She loved special sister week-ends with her sisters and nieces. Kate was a great reader and part of several book groups. When grandchildren were involved in sports Bart and Kate were in attendance, proudly wearing the colors of their teams.
Kate was a member and Elder of the Plainwell Presbyterian Church.
She is loved and cherished by her life partner, Bart Volkers, his children Kimberly (Mike) Getty, Karen (Dennis) Keller, Kurtiss (Jennifer) Volkers and grandchildren Carl Anthony, Amber Marie, Allison Jo, Madilyn Jane, Blake Lawrence, Mallory Kate, Maxwell John and Avery Joy. Great grandchildren Dawson, Wyatt and Maverick. She was preceded in death by grandson Alec Lee.
Her siblings who love her are Larry Johnson, Sue(Dan) Teare, Tim (Teryn) Johnson, Deb Johnson, Jill (Craig) Haney, Nieces Cheyenne Johnson, Sarah Teare and Jennifer (Scott) Peterson, Nephews David Teare, Nathan (Kristin) Haney, Neil (Stacie Larson) Haney and great nieces and nephews Caleb, Luke and Abby Peterson; Levi, Gabe, and Vivian Haney.
Memorial Gifts in her memory may be directed to Christian Neighbors.
A Service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church in Plainwell.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Kathie A. Johnson
Condolence Messages
Jack Deming
September 20, 2022 at 4:58 pm
I was saddened to hear of Kathie’s recent diagnosis and then passing. She was such a special teacher and more importantly a better person who cared about her students, the teachers she worked with and the school district she worked for. As an administrator who worked with her for 24 years, she was always someone I could count on and would not hesitate to give me honest feedback on what we were trying to accomplish as educators. Bart, Jerri and I are praying for you and the rest of the family in this most difficult time.
Reply
Connie Brenner
September 20, 2022 at 7:57 pm
While I hadn’t know Kate for very long I cherished her friendship. Her sparkle, wit, humor and compassion were qualities that drew you into her circle. I will cherish those moments that were so very brief. My sincere condolences to all her friends and loved ones.
Reply
Eric Van Ness
September 22, 2022 at 9:35 am
I am sorry to hear about Ms. Johnson’s passing. She made an incredible impact on my life. I was one of her AP English students over twenty years ago. She held a high standard, pushing me to become a better writer. She helped me throughout the college selection process and was deeply concerned when I joined the Army to help pay for that college. I still keep the collegiate dictionary she signed and gave to me on my desk. My condolences to her family and friends. I know she will be missed.
Reply
Dawn and Morry Edwards
September 25, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Kate was such a special person and definitely made the world a better place. She will be so missed. Our sincerest condolences to you, Bart, and all of Kate’s family and friends, whom she loved so much. Wishing you peace, comfort, strength and much love at this time of sorrow.
Reply
Ed Perkins
October 1, 2022 at 10:46 am
I am sorry for your loss and am holding you in my thoughts and prayers.
Grace & Peace! Ed Perkins (a colleague of Deb’s)
Reply
Mary and Bob Stark
October 1, 2022 at 11:55 am
So sorry to hear of Kathie’s passing. I will always remember her as a strong-spirited woman who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind!
Our prayers are with you all as you lovingly remember her.
Blessings, Mary and Bob Stark
Reply
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Kathie Amanda Johnson (Kate) was born on September 22, 1949 in Tustin, Michigan to Robert and Opal Johnson. She graduated from Marion High School in 1968 and Central Michigan University in 1972. For 30 years she was a high school English Teacher at Wayland Union High School in Wayland, Michigan where she was awarded the Katheryn Lorraine Brenner Outstanding Teacher Award in 2004. After retirement she was adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University School of Education, training and mentoring new teachers as she had mentored colleagues and student teachers during her tenure at Wayland.
For 40 years she and Bart Volkers partnered in life, travel, grandparenting, and creating a home together in Otsego, Michigan. After retirement they spent winters in Tavernair, Florida and created a new community of friends who became family.
Kate loved travel and she and Bart spend many spring breaks in Jamaica. She traveled to Europe with friends and family and a trip to Israel with church friends and family. She loved special sister week-ends with her sisters and nieces. Kate was a great reader and part of several book groups. When grandchildren were involved in sports Bart and Kate were in attendance, proudly wearing the colors of their teams.
Kate was a member and Elder of the Plainwell Presbyterian Church.
She is loved and cherished by her life partner, Bart Volkers, his children Kimberly (Mike) Getty, Karen (Dennis) Keller, Kurtiss (Jennifer) Volkers and grandchildren Carl Anthony, Amber Marie, Allison Jo, Madilyn Jane, Blake Lawrence, Mallory Kate, Maxwell John and Avery Joy. Great grandchildren Dawson, Wyatt and Maverick. She was preceded in death by grandson Alec Lee.
Her siblings who love her are Larry Johnson, Sue(Dan) Teare, Tim (Teryn) Johnson, Deb Johnson, Jill (Craig) Haney, Nieces Cheyenne Johnson, Sarah Teare and Jennifer (Scott) Peterson, Nephews David Teare, Nathan (Kristin) Haney, Neil (Stacie Larson) Haney and great nieces and nephews Caleb, Luke and Abby Peterson; Levi, Gabe, and Vivian Haney.
Memorial Gifts in her memory may be directed to Christian Neighbors.
A Service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church in Plainwell.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Kathie A. Johnson
Condolence Messages
Jack Deming
September 20, 2022 at 4:58 pm
I was saddened to hear of Kathie’s recent diagnosis and then passing. She was such a special teacher and more importantly a better person who cared about her students, the teachers she worked with and the school district she worked for. As an administrator who worked with her for 24 years, she was always someone I could count on and would not hesitate to give me honest feedback on what we were trying to accomplish as educators. Bart, Jerri and I are praying for you and the rest of the family in this most difficult time.
Reply
Connie Brenner
September 20, 2022 at 7:57 pm
While I hadn’t know Kate for very long I cherished her friendship. Her sparkle, wit, humor and compassion were qualities that drew you into her circle. I will cherish those moments that were so very brief. My sincere condolences to all her friends and loved ones.
Reply
Eric Van Ness
September 22, 2022 at 9:35 am
I am sorry to hear about Ms. Johnson’s passing. She made an incredible impact on my life. I was one of her AP English students over twenty years ago. She held a high standard, pushing me to become a better writer. She helped me throughout the college selection process and was deeply concerned when I joined the Army to help pay for that college. I still keep the collegiate dictionary she signed and gave to me on my desk. My condolences to her family and friends. I know she will be missed.
Reply
Dawn and Morry Edwards
September 25, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Kate was such a special person and definitely made the world a better place. She will be so missed. Our sincerest condolences to you, Bart, and all of Kate’s family and friends, whom she loved so much. Wishing you peace, comfort, strength and much love at this time of sorrow.
Reply
Ed Perkins
October 1, 2022 at 10:46 am
I am sorry for your loss and am holding you in my thoughts and prayers.
Grace & Peace! Ed Perkins (a colleague of Deb’s)
Reply
Mary and Bob Stark
October 1, 2022 at 11:55 am
So sorry to hear of Kathie’s passing. I will always remember her as a strong-spirited woman who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind!
Our prayers are with you all as you lovingly remember her.
Blessings, Mary and Bob Stark
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
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