DUDLEY -- Frances M. (Krouse) Johnson, 75, of Dudley, died Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge.Her husband of 53 years, Donald A. “Gus” Johnson, died in May, 2011.
She leaves two sons, Kenneth P. Johnson and his wife, Katherine, of Haverhill and Brian A. “Chop” Johnson of Dudley; two grandchildren, Spenser and Brandon Johnson; and a brother, Frank L. Krouse Jr. of Northborough.
She was born and raised in Northborough, the daughter of Frank L. and Hannah M. Krause. Although the Krause family had lived in Worcester County for three generations, her surname was altered to a more “American” spelling by an overzealous school official at the height of World War II.
Frances worked for several years for the Bates Shoe Co. at its facilities in North Grosvenordale, CT, and in Webster. She retired from Millbrook Distributors in Leicester.
Franny was a devoted mother who made any sacrifice and endured any hardship for the sake of her family. She enjoyed gardening, traveling with her husband and quiet evenings with coffee on her deck. She was an avid follower of the Red Sox. She was a gracious hostess when her husband had friends over for cards. She was very fond of her pets, especially her latest, a Jack Russell mix named “Bingy.”
She loved visits from her grandchildren.
Calling hours are private at the Sitkowski and Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster. Funeral arrangements are private. Flowers may be sent, or memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.