Rita Ann (Boese) Johnecheck

Rita Ann (Boese) Johnecheck, 73, of Boyne City, Michigan, passed away on January 10, 2026, at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, Michigan.

Daughter of Walter and Dolores (Shattuck) Boese, Rita was born on October 16, 1952, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. She grew up in Fraser, Michigan, and graduated from Fraser High School. In 1970 Rita moved with her family to Boyne City and took college classes at North Central Michigan College.

On September 29, 1973, she married A. Delayne Johnecheck at the United Methodist Church of Petoskey. They married after Rita met Delayne while he was flagging traffic for road construction. Delayne would purposefully stop Rita’s car first on her commutes to be able to talk with her. They spent 52 loving years together.

Rita worked for her father at Boese Wood Products as the bookkeeper. She then went to work and retired from Petoskey Plastics as an accountant.

Rita’s favorite job was taking care of her husband, children, and her grandchildren. She cherished the time she had with her family and was always available for whatever they needed. Rita loved being a grandma, and her grandchildren knew to come to “Grammy Mart” for all their needs. Her grandchildren’s sporting events were very important to her also.

She liked to quilt and sew. Over the years Rita also enjoyed riding horseback and long snowmobile trips in the U.P. with Delayne. Her favorite activities were camping, traveling, playing Euchre, and playing Uno with the grandchildren. She had many fond memories with family and friends at Young State Park, other campgrounds, and especially at Yellowstone National Park.

Rita was a member of the Little Traverse Bay Quilters Guild and did quilt shows at North Central Michigan College.

She is survived by her husband A. Delayne Johnecheck; children Tammy (Eric) Wylie, Kelly Johnson, and Jeffrey (Amber) Johnecheck; grandchildren Alyvia Johnson, Everett Johnson, Sophia Johnecheck, Hunter Johnecheck, and Jack Johnecheck; siblings Karen (Brent) Schaller, and Mark (Janet) Boese; sister-in-law Gail Boese; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Rita is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Dolores Boese; brother Walter Boese; and son-in-law Derek Johnson.

A memorial service officiated by Rev. David Behling will be held at Stackus Funeral Home on January 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. A luncheon will follow immediately after the service at the Boyne City Eagles FOE 1583.

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