Jennifer Lynn Johnson

May 28, 1974 - March 1, 2021

Jennifer Lynn (Maxbauer) Johnson, 46, passed away from cancer on March 1, 2021 with loved ones by her side. Jennifer was born on May 28, 1974 in Traverse City. She graduated from Traverse City High School, Northwestern Michigan College and Central Michigan University. Although her original degree was in social work, she found her life calling when she worked for the Way To Grow Program. She was inspired to go back to school and earn a degree in teaching. She was honored as one of the three outstanding student teachers in Michigan in 2005. Jennifer was recruited by TCAPS and became an early elementary teacher at Westwoods Elementary. Jennifer married the love of her life, Thomas Johnson, in August 2001. In 2006 they welcomed son Ryan Paul and Kyle Kenneth followed in 2009. Her three boys were her greatest joy. They loved to camp spending many spring and summer days at campgrounds around the state. They also liked to work in their gardens and spend countless hours enjoying the outdoors. Her family memories were captured in the numerous scrapbooks she created. Jennifer will be greatly missed by husband, Tom, sons Ryan and Kyle, mother and step-father, Diana Lyon-Schumacher and Jon, father Russell Maxbauer, Tom’s parents, Bob and Chris Johnson, sister Jessica Maxbauer, brothers RJ and Brandon(Mallory) Maxbauer, brother-in-law Scott (Serena) Johnson, sister-in-law Jennifer (Don) Payne, grandmother Mary Lyon, grandfather Jack Franke. Also surviving her are Aunts Juanita (Bill) Cole, Doris (Rick) Ellery, Lura (Mike) Ruede, Mary Schumacher, Cindy(Eric) Sudekum, Sue (Bob) Hogarth, Deb(Greg) Bush, and Uncles John (Gloria) Lyon, Frank (Gen) Lyon, Ray(Angela) Lyon, Mike Lyon, Philip (Patti) Lyon, Donald (Shelly) Lyon, John (Patty) Maxbauer, Charlie (Sue) Maxbauer, Steve (Shelia) Franke, Tony Miller, godmother Phyllis Stein-Beal, special friend Jenny (Jason) Walters, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will also be missed by her fur babies Paisley and Mish. Jennifer was preceded in death by her Grandpa Whitney Lyon, Grandparents John and Lillian Maxbauer, Grandma Virginia Franke, and Aunt Gail Miller. Jennifer had a great impact on her TCAPS family especially her colleagues and friends as well as students and parents at Westwoods Elementary School. She leaves a big void in the Westwoods family. She touched the lives of hundreds of students during her teaching career, as well as being a role model and mentor to many teachers. Jennifer was honored to be the recipient of this years Guns and Hoses fundraiser. The family appreciated the hard work of the Guns and Hoses committee and the donations from the community. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the Munson Hospice nurses and staff who lovingly took care of Jennifer during her final days both at home and Hospice House. Visitation will take place at Reynolds-Jonkhoff on Friday, March 5 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Due to current restrictions, please be cognizant as you spend time with the family, so all can attend. A private family funeral will take place Saturday morning at 11 with visitation one hour prior. The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed beginning at 11am at www.rjfh.tv. Per Jennifer’s wishes a celebration of Jennifer’s life will take place outside this summer. All will be welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tom Johnson for the Ryan and Kyle Education Fund or the Jennifer Johnson/Westwoods Student Scholarship Fund. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Jen’s family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by Renyolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Services. A Westwoods student summed it up on the day of her passing saying “God needed a good teacher.” She is in heaven now teaching for God.