Obituary of Edith J. Avise

Edith (Johnson) Avise died in hospice care on May 31, 2018 in Costa Mesa, CA at the age of 101. Born in Iron River, MI in 1916 to Carl William (Bill) Johnson and Selma Levin, Edith is survived by a son John Avise and granddaughter Jennifer. Edith was preceded in death by her husband, R. Dean Avise, and her brother, Richard Johnson of St. Johns, MI. Edith was graduated from Iron River High School in June 1933 and received a B.S. degree in Home Economics from Michigan Agricultural College in 1937. She later completed a Master of Arts degreee from Michigan State University. She taught high school Home Economics in Alpha and Iron River, MI followed by employment in the MSU extension service as county agent and assistant state club leader in Marquette, MI until 1946 when she married and settled in Grand Rapids, MI. Edith served for four years as the president of MSU Home Economics Alumni, and as the only femaile member of the alumni association board. The MSU College of Human Ecology awarded here a distinguished alumni award in recognition of her contributions to the home ecomomics profession. She and her husband were active members of the Audubon Society and other environmental organizations. Edith continued to be involved and contributed throughout her life. After her husband's retirement in 1976, they left Grand Rapids to spend summers on Ice Lake in Iron River, and winters on Nettles Island in Jensen Beach, Florida. For 25 years, Edith performed a variety of volunteer duties for the Iron County Museum. In 2014, due to failing health, Edith moved to Irvine, California to be near her son and daughter-in-law. Edith's remains will be interred in the Bates Township Cemetery in Mapleton, MI alongside her husband. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Iron County Museum, Caspian, MI or West Iron District Library, Iron River, MI.