Betty Moskwa

Betty Mae Moskwa of Ontonagon was a former employee of the United States government, working as a secretary to the Commanding Office, Military Intelligence Service Group, Far East in Tokyo, Japan, until 1952. She took the position after she was graduated in 1949 with a stenographer/ secretarial degree from Green Bay Badger Business College in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

She frequently visited family on Mackinac Island, where her son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Patti Ann Moskwa live and operate Horn's Bar and Yankee Rebel Tavern.

Mrs. Moskwa died at the age of 77, Thursday afternoon, February 23, surrounded by family members, at the Ontonagon Memorial Hospital's Long Term Care Unit.

She was born May 10, 1928, in Matchwood, to Lorena (nee Lowe) and Don Johnson Sr.

She and her family also lived in Bruce Crossing and Ewen, and she was graduated from Ewen High School with the Class of 1945. Following high school, she attended Green Bay Badger Business College from 1947 to 1949.

Following her stint with the United States government in Tokyo, she returned to Michigan and began working

at the White Pine Copper Company in White Pine, in Ontonagon County. There she met Joseph S. Moskwa, and they were married May 8, 1954, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ewen. They were married 51 years and have lived in Negaunee, L'Anse, and Ontonagon, since moving there in 1960.

For many years, Mrs. Moskwa provided for her family as a wife and mother, running a household of six children "with love and order," a family member said.

She returned to work in 1976, when she took a job with the Ontonagon County Friend of the Court office. She continued working there until her retirement in 1991.

Mrs. Moskwa was a devoted member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Ontonagon and the Church Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Ontonagon County Historical Society and the Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5600.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Joseph Moskwa of Ontonagon; six children and their families, Steven and Patti Ann Moskwa of Mackinac Island, James Moskwa of Ann Arbor, Debra Martin of Three Rivers, Richard Moskwa of Red Wing, Minnesota, Linda and Paul

Hartlieb of DeWitt, and Daniel and Amy Moskwa of Goffstown, New Hampshire; eight grandchildren, Justin, Aaron, Gabriele, Whitney, Zachary, Jacob, Zoe, and Sayre; three siblings and their families, Don and Jane Johnson Jr. of Bruce Crossing, Ruth and Albert Niemi of Maupin, Oregon, and Roberta and Edward Daniels of Bruce Crossing, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, February 28, at Holy Family Catholic Church of Ontonagon. Visitation, a rosary service, and luncheon also took place Monday, February 27 through Tuesday, February 28.

Pallbearers were Justin and Aaron Martin, Zachary and Jacob Moskwa, David Johnson, and Brian Daniels.

Spring burial will be in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Ontonagon.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral Homes of Hancock and Chassell are assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mrs. Moskwa's memory to Holy Family Catholic Church, 429 Michigan Avenue, Ontonagon 49953.