Marilyn Johnson Stevens

Marilyn Johnson Stevens, 99, of Williamsburg, VA passed away the morning of Tuesday, February 25, 2025, surrounded by her children and their spouses. Born August 20, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Harvey Martinius Johnson and Bertha Olivia Olsen.

Marilyn grew up on a farm in Newman Grove, NE and was the third of five children (2 boys and 3 girls). They worked hard but eventually lost the farm during the depression and moved to Omaha. Marilyn graduated from high school in 1943 and attended 2 years at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD studying music and singing in the college choir. She worked at International Harvester and later at Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Omaha, NE. She moved to Hawaii with her sister Muneen and her husband Ed, an Army Doctor, where Marilyn worked at Pearl Harbor. Ed and Muneen introduced Marilyn to Milton (Steve) Stevens, an Army officer, and the Tripler Hospital Engineer. Steve and Marilyn were married on June 9, 1956, in Honolulu, Hawaii. They moved frequently to new Army duty stations: Fort Leavenworth, KS where their daughter Jacquie was born; Grand Forks, ND where their son Bill was born; Omaha, NE while Steve was in Korea; Fort Hood, TX; Alexandria, VA; Naples, Italy; and then returned to Alexandria, VA where they called home for the next 50 years.

Marilyn was a gifted hostess and an excellent cook. She loved to have family and friends at their home, making everyone feel welcome and loved. Marilyn was also an excellent seamstress making clothing for family members, window coverings, quilt hangings, and stuffed teddy bears that many enjoyed. Together Steve and Marilyn were active members of Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA where she continued with her love for music, singing in the choir and playing the hand bells and serving with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), joyfully proclaiming Christ, supporting missions and honoring God by serving others.

Marilyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She and Steve especially loved spending time with their six grandchildren. Special times were sleep overs at Grandma’s house and waking up to the smell of bacon cooking and sticky buns and scones baking, adventures into DC on the subway to see the cherry blossoms and the museums, playing games such as Chinese checkers, and Bananagrams. Marilyn faithfully attended the “Grands” events: soccer games, band & orchestra performances, music recitals, award ceremonies; she loved reading the “Grands” stories, singing lullabies and providing plenty of hugs.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Jacquie Bobbitt (Rob), son Bill Stevens (Sharon), six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Mike Bobbitt (Heather - Cameron and Gabriel), Steven Bobbitt (Lexi), Dan Stevens (Jessica - Fiona, Samuel, Penelope, and Milton), Troy Stevens (Katie - Benjamin), Beth Johnson (Andy - June, Josie and Hope), and Dave Stevens (Claire); her older sister Muneen, younger sister Dolly, sister-in-law Patricia, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband Milton “Steve” (June 9, 2009) of 53 years and her two brothers Duane and Dewey.

The memorial service will be at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 30, at King of Glory Lutheran Church (4897 Longhill Rd, Williamsburg, VA). The family will greet friends in the sanctuary starting at 1:30pm. Interment will be at 1:00pm on Monday, May 19, at Arlington National Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to King of Glory Lutheran Church or to Lutheran World Relief.