Barbara Rae Foote-Johnson

Barbara Rae Foote-Johnson age 69, of East Grand Rapids, MI passed away peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2021 surrounded by her family.

Barb was born in Detroit, MI on January 17, 1951 the daughter of Edward and Carmen Foote.  She graduated from Grosse Pointe High School Class of 1969.  She attended WMU receiving a Bachelors Degree in Business Management earning a 4.0 GPA.  She was one of only two women in the program.  She also earned a MBA from the University of Virginia.  She settled in Grand Rapids, MI for the remainder of her life.  

In 1973 following college graduation she married Jerry VanVliet who survives.  Also surviving are her two sons, James and Alisha VanVliet of Grandville, MI, Andrew and Jessica VanVliet of East Grand Rapids, MI, five grandchildren, Maxwell, Carson, Kamdyn, Henley, and Owen VanVliet, her brother Bert and Gina Foote in Fairport, NY and two nephews Edward and Tyler Foote and two nieces Mallory and MacKenzie Foote.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her second husband Dennis Johnson of Minnesota.

The family will greet friends on Wednesday from 5 to 7pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home.  Due to covid restrictions a private family service will be held.  The family is planning a celebration of life service for Barb this summer once restrictions are eased.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the P.E.O. Group which is a philanthropic organization that Barb was deeply involved with, please make checks payable to: Jonell Williams C/O P.E.O. AT, 4645 Wolf Run Ave SE Kentwood MI 49548-7569.

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