Obituary: Sherry Johnson, 87, of Ludington

July 22, 2024

Sherry Johnson

Sherry Dell (Hansen) Johnson lost her battle with dementia on Friday, July 19, 2024.

She was born in Lansing on July 26, 1936 as the oldest of six siblings. Her parents were James and Alice (Semple) Hansen. Her family moved back to their hometown of Ludington when she was 6-years-old and she enjoyed her childhood growing up on Fifth Street in the Fourth Ward. Sherry graduated from Ludington High School as part of the first graduating class of the “new high school”. On May 19, 1956 she married her high school sweetheart, Ken Johnson, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ludington. They spent their first couple years of marriage living in Washington State where Ken was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. After the births of their two children, they relocated back to Ludington where they spent their remaining years in the house that Ken built on Jebavy Drive. They were married 59 years before Ken’s passing.

Sherry was very social, and at her happiest when she was surrounded by friends and family. Her favorite activity was visiting with friends over a cup of coffee. She had the ability to make conversation with anyone and was comfortable in any crowd. Sherry also enjoyed taking walks as often as possible.

Sherry enjoyed reminiscing about her early years working as a telephone operator. She also worked as a sales associate at Montgomery Wards and the Little Red Shoe House for many years.

She was a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church and volunteered on various committees. Sherry enjoyed creating traditional holiday meals for her family. Some of her family’s favorites were dishes like her coleslaw, and glorified rice. Her special spaghetti sauce recipe has been replicated by her family but has never measured up to her original.

In their younger years, Ken and Sherry enjoyed traveling around the U.S. for various Danish Brotherhood events. In later years, they spent time vacationing in New Symrna Beach, Fla.

Sherry was always a dog lover and weekly visits with Ola, her grand-dog, brought her so much joy while she lived at Ludington Woods. The family appreciates the staff at Ludington Woods for the compassion and care shown to Sherry throughout her stay.

Surviving are her children: Cindy (Gary) Boerema, and Kenneth Johnson Jr., of Ludington; her grandchildren: Tanya (Mike) Gasaway, Erik Boerema, and Niki Boerema; great grandchildren: Bella Gasaway, Maddie Gasaway, Yebe Boerema, and Julian Boerema, all of Ludington. Sherry is also survived by her brother James (Kathy) Hansen; brother-in-law Doug Rogers; and sister-in-law Sue Hansen, all of Ludington. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; siblings Dennis Hansen, Douglas Hansen, Dorothy Rose, and Sandra Rogers; in-laws O. Ed and Ebba Johnson; brothers-in-law Andrew Johnson, Harvey Johnson, Andy Rose; sisters-in-law Evelyn Fearnow, Pauline Kremer, Judy Hansen, Betty Johnson.

A private graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com