Marian Johnson

In the spring of 1933, Marian was born at her country home in Latah, Washington. Her parents, Orville and Laura, raised her on their farm, which was surrounded by the rolling wheat fields of eastern Washington. From an early age, Marian experienced both hardship and strength—hardship, in losing an older sister and a younger brother, and strength, in growing up working on the farm. Driving a grain truck to the elevators by age fourteen is just one example of that work ethic that would define her life.

In spite of her early career as a “trucker,” Marian’s true passion was teaching. In 1951, she enrolled at Whitworth College to study elementary education. One story her grandchildren loved hearing from her college days related to the campus prohibition against “dancing.” She explained to them that while “dancing” was prohibited (after all, Whitworth was a Christian school), “folk-gaming” (a form of group-dancing that emerged in the early 1950s) was approved.

Following graduation, she completed her student teaching in Kelso, Washington and was awarded her permanent teaching certificate from Western Washington State College in 1957.

Marian loved to travel–a passion that continued throughout life. One summer, she spent three months exploring the continent of Europe with her friends. Her eyes lit up when describing the beauty of places she visited, like Venice or the Swiss Alps.

In 1957, she relocated to Spokane, Washington where she taught in the public schools for nearly a decade. Marian’s move brought another important development. In 1961, she met the love of her life, Bill. They were married the following year and honeymooned in western Washington and Oregon. The Lord blessed them with sixty years together. She lost her lifelong partner just twenty days before their 61st wedding anniversary.

Bill’s job took Marian (and their two boys, Keith and Steve) to New Orleans for five years, where she learned how to cook cajun style. The family would meet shrimp boats coming in from the gulf and fill their cooler with fresh shrimp. Bill and the boys loved her shrimp. After they moved north to Michigan, her son Keith was distraught to learn that shrimp didn’t come out of the ocean with his mother’s infused cajun flavor.

After her sons finished high school, she returned to the work she loved, teaching full time. She became the director of a preschool in Lambertville, Michigan. After ten years, she retired, opening a new season for her and Bill to enjoy more time together and explore the places they loved. Their travels included cherished trips to England, Scotland, the Smoky Mountains, Alaska, and more as well as spending winters at their condo in Cocoa Beach.

Another benefit of retirement was their grandchildren. From piano recitals to graduations to birthday parties, Marian and Bill always prioritized time with their grandkids. Marian loved sharing photos of her grandkids’ accomplishments and milestones.

During their time in Michigan, Marian became a proud co-owner of the “Blue Horizons,” a twenty-seven-foot aluminum fishing boat. Fishing was a passion she shared with Bill. Over 38 years, hundreds of perch and walleye found their way from the waters of Lake Erie to the center of their dinner plates. (Rest assured that Marian never exceeded the daily catch limit.)

Marian’s faith in Jesus Christ was the most important thing in her life. She also cared deeply for people. For twenty-five years, she and Bill ministered to senior adults at Bridgepoint Church in Temperance, Michigan. When she moved to Florida following Bill’s death, she loved connecting with fellow residents at her assisted living facility.

Marian is survived by two sons, Keith (Rhonda) and Steve (Lynne); and thirteen grandchildren (and two great-grandchildren). Keith’s family lives in Orlando, Florida while Steve’s family resides in Broomfield, Colorado.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, August 1, at University Presbyterian Church (2562 Rouse Rd, Orlando, FL 32817).

If you would like to honor Marian with flowers, we ask that you order through Harry's Famous Flowers (harrysfamousflowers.com; 407-249-0500). The delivery location would be University Presbyterian Church (2562 Rouse Rd, Orlando, FL 32817) and the delivery date would be August 1.