WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Beatrice Pauline Johnson, age 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.
In accordance with family wishes, cremation will be conducted. No services are planned.
Donations in Bea’s memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at Hohner Funeral Home.
