Anita Anna Johannes

Anita Johannes, 89, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Monday, March 28, 2016 at her home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m.at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market Street, St. Joseph with Pastor Michael Roth officiating. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to American Foundation for the Blind, Hospice at Home, or Trinity Lutheran Church. Those wishing to sign Anita’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Anita was born to Max and Marie (Ulrich) Kowerduck on March 29, 1926 in St. Joseph. On June 3, 1950 she married Robert Johannes at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was a lifetime member.  A graduate of both Holy Cross College and The St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Program, Anita retired from the former Memorial Hospital in St. Joseph after 40 years of service as a registered nurse. A lifetime resident, Anita and Robert raised their 5 children and shared many happy years here until his death in 1997. In addition to memberships in her church and Nurses Cadet Corps, Anita stayed very busy with other activities.  She was an avid reader (especially loving works by Danielle Steele), loved to travel, and enjoyed spending time at the local Senior Center.  Her friends the ‘Canasta Ladies’ will certainly miss her at the card table. Anita is survived by her children Gale (Ray Curto) Johannes of Fennville; Roberta (Robert) Kasischke of Hoffman Estates, IL; Mary (John) Eberhart of Benton Harbor; Julia (Patrick) Tanner of Lansing; and Philip (Cathy) Johannes of South Lyon; grandchildren Angela (Scott) Warren; Elizabeth Eberhart; Max Eberhart; and Zachary Kasischke; great-grandson Kevin Schneider; brother Edward (Diane) Kowerduck of North Ridge, CA; nephew Kyle Kowerduck; niece Karla (Michael) Tray; and grandniece Sophia Tray. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert; and an infant sister Mary Jane Kowerduck.