Gertrude Anne Johnston

Gertrude Anne (Stuyfzand) Johnston graduated to her home in Heaven Saturday, June 10, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Howard S. Johnston; firstborn daughter, Kathy Ziegler; and sister, Theresa DeRuiter. She is survived by her children Vikki Johnston, Patti Johnston, Michele (Ed) Bussler, and extra daughters Cristina Lopez Herrera (Abraham) and Sandy Wilson; son-in-law, Dave Ziegler; grandchildren Bethany Ziegler, David (Melanie) Ziegler, Matt Ziegler, Riley (Lexie) Bussler, Lea (Shawn) Ringleberg; great-grandchildren Austin Heistand, Shane, Elliott, Lauren, Cameron Ziegler, and Kellan Bussler; brother, John Stuyfzand; sisters-in-law Patricia Gabbert and Lola Blaszczyk.

Gert was born in 1931 to John and Jeanette (Faber) Stuyfzand. She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in January 1949. She married Howard Johnston in 1951 and the two were blessed with four (plus one) daughters, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

After putting her lifelong dream of being a nurse on hold to marry and raise her young children at home, Gert went back to school at age 42 to pursue her nursing degree. She trained in many areas, but quickly and not surprisingly, she knew her favorite department to serve in was with the newborn babies. She invested her life energies into the lives of countless children in many ways - at home, at the nursery at Butterworth Hospital, and her church teaching Sunday school. She retired from nursing in 1992 and enjoyed traveling with friends and family for many years.

Other favorite pastimes included reading, puzzles, and board and card games - especially with her sister-in-law, Pat and daughter, Patti. She also loved playing dominoes and word games on her tablet, gardening, bingo, and bowling.

She leaves us with an incredible legacy of unconditional love, the kind that comes from a caring and compassionate heart of gold.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Fair Haven Church, 2900 Baldwin St., Hudsonville, Michigan 49426. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Fair Haven Church, with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to service. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresgrandville.com.