Marilyn Johnson Obituary

Marilyn Theresa Johnson, age 95 of Lenexa, KS, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025. Marilyn was born June 7, 1929, to John and Philomine B. Adler (Staab). Her early years were spent in Satanta, KS, living above the café the family owned and operated. Some of those recipes are still family favorites (such as Tomato-base Swiss steak). Since the café was a regular stop for the railroad there were courtesy train rides which allowed a little girl to be "up front" in the locomotive. Exciting stuff in the early 30's. Following the completion of 6th grade, they moved to Hays, KS where train rides were replaced with swimming pools. Marilyn loved to swim and spent entire summers in the water.
Hays offered a Catholic school system which was a switch for her and presented different administrative challenges. She nonetheless persevered, graduating Marion High in 1947. During her senior year she took great pride in being voted 'Best Dressed' student. Her mother was an accomplished seamstress and made all her clothing. A love for writing was nurtured and although she never formally advanced this area she did share letters over the years with her 2nd cousin, Debbie Macomber. Yes, the 'Debbie Macomber'.
Shortly after graduation and one week after her 18th birthday, she married Fred Johnson and moved to the family farm north of Grainfield, KS. To this union, two sons were born. Fred Jr. in 1949 and Casey in 1951. "City life" in Hays was different than cooking on a wood burning stove and working the fields. Of course, wood was replaced by propane so the violin playing was quickly squelched. After several decades on the farm, they moved to Oakley and then eventually relocated to Lenexa, KS in 2016.
Over the years, playing Bridge was a regular occurrence for Marilyn. She enjoyed Pitch as well but her love was Bridge, and she became very good at it. Her son, Fred, also played, thus making on-line sessions a weekly event.
She and Fred Sr. did enjoy getting out of town. Branson, MO was a popular destination in the winter as well as traveling to foreign countries and cruising. At times, the cruises were with their children and grandchildren, who greatly loved their Grandma and always had fun with her.
She is survived by her two sons, Fred A. Johnson, Jr. (Mary) of Wichita, KS and Dr. Casey T. Johnson (Patty) of Shawnee, KS. She leaves grandchildren: Nicole M. Johnson (Zachary Arnold) of Kansas City, MO; Bridget T. Falk (Ben) of Denver, CO; Laurie Ray of Lawrence, KS; and Austin C. Johnson, of Columbia, MO; great-grandchildren: Max Ray, Bryce Arnold, Dominic Arnold, and Sloane Arnold. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, James Adler.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 25, 2025 at St. Joseph's Church, Oakley with Fr. Luke Thielen officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Grainfield Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, Fred. No visitation. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kennedykosterfh.com and [email protected].
Memorials to St. Joseph's Church, Oakley may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748
Immediately following the committal service at the Grainfield Cemetery, everyone is invited to a reception, open to the public, which will be held at the St. Joseph Church Annex at approximately 12:30 p.m. Memories may be shared and refreshments will be provided.
Sign the online Guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com
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