Phyllis E. (Kloack) Johnston

Phyllis Elaine Johnston, age 90, of Cadillac, Michigan died on July 1, 2020 at her home on Lake Mitchell in Cadillac surrounded in love and care by her three children and the lakefront view that she always cherished.

She was born on June 29, 1930 to the late Dorothy E. Albrecht Kloack of Battle Creek, Michigan.

She was a graduate of Marshall High School, class of 1945, and continued on to earn a degree at Argubright Business College where she learned the invaluable art of shorthand, which she used to make lists and notes to leave casually around the house, which conveniently always remained safe, considering only she could read them.

In 1951, she wed her late husband Thomas A. Johnston, leading to a loving marriage of 67 years.

As they raised their three beautiful children, she worked as a clerk at Vandenburg´s Appliance Store.

The family enjoyed trips to the cottage, presently Phyllis and Tom´s full time home, backyard skating rinks, raspberry picking, and no friend of the kiddos entering the house without the greeting of ¨Hey Mom!¨ As grandkids came into the picture, she kept busy with trips to sporting events, music concerts, dance recitals, graduations, and open houses. And if she had to miss it, you can bet she had a message coming your way asking how it went.

A tradition held for many years when the grandchildren were young, was the annual trip when the grandparents took the grandchildren on a well thought out and expertly planned weekend of fun and adventure, fondly named ¨Grand Weekend¨.

She always knew how to make beautiful creations with fabric a needle and thread. She lovingly crafted a one of a kind quilts and many pillowcases for each of her grandchildren, a treasure that they will hold dear forever.

Her culinary talents were incomparable as well, always trying new recipes and ingredients. Many laughs were shared by her family around the quirk that though she would jot notes, comments, and date the recipes in her cookbooks, a recipe was rarely made more than once. The kids would joke ¨Better get the recipe before Grandma throws it away!¨.

As years passed and life got busier for many, Phyllis´ family always appreciated her determination to stay technologically savvy. With a smartphone, Ipad, laptop, and even a Facebook account, she was never out of touch with her family, sending a weekly ¨Monday Message¨ email of the happenings at the lake and wanting to know any and everything that we wanted to tell her about our lives.

And to her final days, she and her three children text hearts each morning by way of “ checking in” for the day in a group message as a constant reminder of the love between them.

Still living out the old saying ¨age is just a number¨, Phyllis remained an avid golfer, loving to watch, and also enjoying many rounds with friends and family. She was an active member of Anytime Fitness, attending classes 3 times a week, walking 2 miles on days the weather would allow, and even getting out to, in her words, not shovel the snow, but ¨push¨ it for exercise. Although she did say she knew her limits and when it was deep enough to call a plow. When she occasionally decided she needed some physical rest, she put her mind to work. A frequent flyer at the public library, she was always exclaiming ¨I couldn't put it down!¨ when she would finish her most recent read. Puzzles were another favorite of hers, often exchanging them with friends and family and sending photos as they would get completed. Though she would never make anyone else follow her ¨rule¨, she somehow managed to complete numerous puzzles in her days and wouldn't ¨cheat¨ by looking at the picture on the box.

In conversation, Phyllis would always comment that ¨Everyone is just so nice¨. When she would mention this in her storytelling, it was like looking in a mirror. She always showed endless compassion and kindness to those around her, yet her humble heart didn't see that she was only receiving the love and kindness that she showed to others herself.

Her family believes that the best way to honor her legacy is to continue to work to make that statement remain true every day. Phyllis is lovingly survived by her children, Victoria (Andy) Hammond of Alma, Tim (Linda) Johnston of Battle Creek and Martha (Bob) Johnston-Mundt of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren: Kelli Fischer, Katelyn Carroll, Kristin Hammond; Corey Johnston; Logan Mundt, Jami Mundt and Molly Mundt, nine great grandchildren, Noah, Morgan, Christopher, Marissa, Kamryn, Keagan, Kendall, Karsyn, and Elliott, and her sister in love, Anne Kloack of Ann Arbor. She was preceded in death by husband Thomas A. Johnston; brothers Clyde L. Kloack and Milo Kloack, and grandsons Kip Hammond and Brandon Johnston.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2020 from 11:00 – 12:00 pm at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N. Marshall, Michigan 49068. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 Noon at the funeral home with David Fiebernitz officiating. Interment will take place at 11:00 am Monday, July 6, 2020 at Oakridge Cemetery in Marshall. The memorial service will be recorded on the funeral home website.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Healthcare Hospice of Cadillac, Cadillac Public Library or to the charity of one’s choice.

Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the on line obituary, sign the on line guestbook or to leave the family condolences.