Obituary: Caroline Marie Johnson, 91, of Ludington

May 30, 2025

Caroline Johnson

Caroline Marie Johnson, 91, of Ludington, died on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

“Sweet Caroline” was born in Ludington to Michael and Anna (Gwiazdowski) Zywicki on August 14, 1933. She attended Saint Stanislaus and Saint Simon schools, graduating in 1951. The friendships Mom formed during those years were lifelong and rich in depth and loyalty.

Caroline loved her family “To The Moon and Back” and often expressed that by multiple underlines of keywords in our birthday cards. It became a competition and gave us many laughs to see how many underlines we each received.

Caroline was a deeply loved Mom, Grandmother and GG. She will be remembered with smiles by the following:

Daughter Michelle (Douglas) Houghton of Grand Rapids, daughter Cathy (David) Sniegowski of Holland, son Kevin (Kathleen) Johnson of Hudsonville, and son Todd Johnson of Ludington; grandchildren Matthew (Betsy) Sniegowski, Phillip (Samantha) Sniegowski, Katherine (Brad) Wehrmeyer, Andrew (Alaina) Johnson, Aaron (Maddy) Johnson and Taylor Bryant; her beloved great-grandchildren Austin, Tanner, Emersyn and Olivia Sniegowski, Annabelle, Maverick and Eloise Wehrmeyer and Eliza Johnson were the best part of her final years. Being with them, seeing photos or videos of them, anything related to them brought big smiles to her face and filled her heart with love.

Caroline is also survived by her special niece/“sister” Donna Harcourt, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Caroline was married on July 3, 1959 to Donald (Snowball) Johnson who preceded her in death on November 15, 1981. She was also preceded in death by her parents Anna and Michael Zywicki; her parents-in-law Henry and Wilma Johnson; sisters Agnes Goodrich, Virginia (Keith) Rathbun, Margaret (Russell) Boughner, Bernadine (Clarence) Quammen, Marcella (Shirley) Rathbun; and brother Ernest aka Mike (Lucille) Zywicki. Also preceding her in death were Don’s sister Eileen (Ted) Seiy and brother Milford (Helen) Johnson.

Per Caroline’s request, a private graveside service is planned for immediate family.

A very special thanks to the staff of Porter Hills Health Center where Mom lived for 18 months and to the compassionate staff of Heartland Hospice in Grand Rapids in her final weeks. Mom could not have had better or more truly loving care.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.