Marilyn M. Johnson

Marilyn M. Johnson, 72, of Sioux City passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Craig Bock officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Marilyn was born May 20, 1934, in Sioux City, to Arthur and Edna (Carnes) Reynders. She grew up in Sioux City and attended Sioux City Schools. She graduated from East High School in 1956 and attended Sacramento Junior College before graduating from Morningside College.

She married William G. Johnson on June 9, 1973, in Sioux City. Mr. Johnson died April 11, 1998, in Sioux City. Marilyn taught in the Sioux City Community School District for 40 years. The last schools she taught at were Everett and Nodland. She was a member of the Retired Educators Association, T.T.T., N.E.A. and S.C.E.A. She was nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award for the Sioux City Community School District. She was awarded the distinguished alumni award from Morningside College and was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority.

She was a member of St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church and was active in social ministry, Christian education and summer Bible school. She established an extensive church library and taught Sunday school. She was also active in Circle of Friends, the Quilting Group and did volunteer work at the Soup Kitchen. Marilyn was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and she enjoyed playing cards, genealogy and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Survivors include five children, Duggan P. Johnson and his wife, Rhonda of Sioux City, Cathy Mowry and her husband, Dick of Littleton, Colo., Joni Noonan and her husband, Corey of Springdale, Ark., Denny W. Johnson and Dorothy Cowles of Sioux City, and Maggie Norton and her husband, Tim of Sioux City; two brothers, Bill Reynders and his wife, Shirley of Orange Vail, Calif., and Bob Reynders and his wife, Veloy of Cumming, Ga.; a sister, Jeanette Magnuson and her husband, Bob of New Braunfels, Texas; 12 grandchildren, Andy Johnson, Meggan Farmer, Joe Johnson, Jessica and Erin Mowry, Hilary, Michael and Bridget Noonan, Jesse Cowles, Adam, Claire and Jacob Norton; a great-granddaughter, Scottlynd Farmer; a sister-in-law, Shardell Reynders of Sioux City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Don and Gene Reynders; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth "Libby" Norton.

Pallbearers will be Curt, Brad, Richard, Brent and Scott Reynders, Mark Magnuson, Andy Johnson, Joe Johnson, Michael Noonan, Jesse Cowles and Adam Norton.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church Library or the Children's Ministry.