Lois "Putt" Johnson Holmstrom

Loved by her family and treasured by many friends, Lois K."Putt" Johnson Holmstrom had a zest for life. Outgoing and active, her life was filled enjoying her family, socializing with friends, and traveling. Although she suffered the loss of two husbands, Lois was blessed with wonderful companionship, care and love. Above all, Lois love of life will never be forgotten. She will be dearly missed. The end of World War I brought much industry to the nation and the economy soared. By the 1920s, America was in its heyday. The Gershwins and Irving Berlin continued to dominate the music industry while the flapper and jazz were all the rage. The shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan was no exception to this wonderful era as tourists flocked to the area by steamships and passenger trains to take in the resort atmosphere. Summer days were filled with a celebratory flair while many family memories were made at the Lake Michigan Amusement Park on the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan. Clark Mixer, a local dentist and his wife, Clara (Anderson) had cause for celebration when on May 9, 1924 they welcomed the birth of a little girl they named Lois Kathryn into their hearts. The youngest of five children who seemingly always received special treatment, Lois grew up alongside older siblings Robert, Dan, Ginny, and Jack. The Mixer family made their home on Sanford Street in the thriving suburb of Muskegon Heights. As a young girl, Lois often babysat for her nephew Bob who called her Putt. The name stuck and she was called Putt her whole life through. The family had a cottage on Bear Lake where memorable and fun times were spent throughout the years with extended family and friends. Outgoing and personable, Putt had many friends while in high school. During her teen years, her time was filled with studies, activity, and a busy social calendar. World War II was in full swing and Muskegon was booming with industry after the devastating effects of the Depression. After graduating from Muskegon Heights High School, Putt went on to Muskegon Business College to take classes in bookkeeping while her three older brothers followed in their fathers footsteps in dentistry. One night during the Christmas holidays, Putts brother Jack set her up with a dashing Navy Lieutenant named Russ Johnson who was home on leave. Although she was dating someone else at the time, Russ swept Putt off her feet. In time a romance developed and they fell deeply in love. The war called Russ back to duty, and he continued serving his country while keeping in contact with his sweetheart back home. The two were married in the living room of the Mixer home on January 16, 1946 when Lois was 21 years old. While Russ remained in the Navy, they lived in San Francisco, California, where Russ was stationed. Russ was a highly decorated Lieutenant Commander, and the Navy hoped he would make the military his career. But Putt longed to be near family and friends, and she convinced Russ to leave the Navy. They returned home to settle in Muskegon and in 1947 Claudia was born. When Russ decided to attend the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, they lived in the Ann Arbor area for a time until he completed his education. Eventually they welcomed more children. Sally was born in 1949, Jill came along in 1951 just prior to Russ graduation from Pharmacy, followed by Susan in 1952. Their son Clark was born in 1956, Joel in 1957 and Todd completed their large family in 1963. From Muskegon Heights they moved to the quaint Glenside neighborhood in Muskegon where they continued to raise their family and live for many years. An active and involved mother, Putt was in her element when it came to her children. Industrious and vivacious, she put her efforts into the PTA and served as a Brownie troop leader. Always there for her children, Putt was sure to greet the kids when they returned home from school. Family dinnertime was very important to her, and she didnt allow interruptions because of the television or telephone. With Russ often working six days or more a week at the pharmacy, family meals were a time when she could count on everyone being together. The years were filled with the busy life of raising a large family. Picnics with the family at Elks Park always proved to be an enjoyable time for everyone. Russ and Lois did much together as a couple, as well. They had a great group of friends and enjoyed steak dinners and getting together at each others homes for card parties regularly. They enjoyed playing golf and held memberships at the Spring Lake Country Club, and later, at the Muskegon Country Club. It was difficult for Putt and the entire family when Russ was diagnosed with Alzheimers in the 1970s and had to sell the pharmacy. Dedicated and loyal, she took care of Russ until he was admitted to the VA hospital. Sadly, her beloved Russ died in 1986. After Russ illness began, Putt joined the work force by taking on various secretarial jobs. For a time she worked as a secretary for the former Pleasure Island, the Manufacturers Association, and several additional places until eventually retiring. She filled her time with work and enjoyed her family. She remained in close contact with her friends and kept busy. In the years that followed, Putt was reacquainted with an old friend from her high school days named Roger Holmstrom. They truly enjoyed one anothers company and in time their friendship turned to admiration. They were married in 1992 and the years that followed provided them with loving companionship. Putt and Roger traveled frequently and socialized with many friends. Difficult days were in store for Roger and Putts families when she too was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 1995. She declined over the next few years while Roger and her children and her brother Dan provided her with loving care. When her illness necessitated a move in 2001 to a nursing home, Roger visited often until he died in 2005. Putt had a zest and love for life that was unmatched. After living for so many years with a debilitating disease that took away her independence and quality of life, Putt died peacefully at the age of 85 on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. She will be forever missed and fondly remembered. Putt is survived by her daughters: Claudia (John) Ellis of Maui, Hawaii, Sally Johnson of San Francisco, California, Jill (Andrew Powers) Johnson of Ann Arbor, and Susan (Ralph) Hayward of Whitmore Lake; her sons: Clark (Lynn) Johnson of Georgia, Joel (Pam) Johnson of Grand Rapids, and Todd Johnson of Muskegon; nine grandchildren: Molly Day, Daniel Tursi, Brendan Tursi, Chelsea Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Scott Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Claudia Johnson, and Nicholas Johnson; one great-grandchild, Brady Day; siblings: Dan Mixer, Jack (Doris) Mixer, and Ginny McGuire; her stepchildren: Laurie (Larry) Mason, Jan (Tim) Wellemeyer, and Kurt Holmstrom; five step-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert. A Memorial Service to celebrate Lois life will take place on Saturday, December 19, 2009, 3:00 PM at the Clock Chapel-Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Alzheimer's Association. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or to sign her online guest book.