Marilyn Ann Johnston passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022 at Sunset Home, Concordia at the age of 89. Marilyn was born April 6, 1933, to Vane and Gladys (Nelson) Schierbaum and lived on the family farm in Summit township, west of Concordia for several years before moving to Concordia where she graduated from Concordia High School.
Marilyn married D. Dean Johnston on April 6, 1952. They celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to his death in 2014. Marilyn raised five children along with the numerous pets her children dragged home. The children were involved in many activities and Marilyn always took time to attend every one including football games, track meets, swim meets and school programs. Marilyn was the “fun” mom and her home was always overflowing with her children’s friends. As she would say, “there is never a dull moment!”
Marilyn was employed for 45 years by Bergman Studios (later Pfuetze Bergman Studios) enjoying every aspect of photography and the photo restoration business.
Marilyn, an avid and accomplished gardener was a generous and enthusiastic volunteer. Whether teaching Sunday School at The Baptist Church, working with Camp Fire Girls when her daughter was young, spending hours at the Historical Society Museum of Cloud County or leading the News Forum Group for Sunset Home Residents, she was always “all in” and passionate about what she was doing. She served on the Frank Carlson Library Board, and in 2012 she received the Kaleidoscope Award from the Concordia Chamber of Commerce for the national notoriety of the Museum for her discovery of the Martha Washington letter in the museum archives. Because of her discovery, Marilyn was thrilled to be invited and attend a personal tour of Mount Vernon given by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association.
Marilyn loved researching her family history and was very active aiding others in their genealogy quest. She loved traveling throughout the United States, visiting friends and family. But one of her great loves was traveling overseas, especially Scotland where she was able to do research related to her family genealogy. Most days after retiring she could be found at the Museum researching or assisting with the operations of the Museum.
Marilyn’s love for and kindness to her family and community will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, D. Dean Johnston. She is survived by her sister Ramona Printz Smith of Stilwell, KS; daughter Susan Hoppe and her husband Rick of Wichita, KS; sons Bruce and his wife Terry of Plano, TX; Mark and his wife Kathy of Concordia; Jerry and his wife Terry of Las Vegas, NV; and Bryce and his wife Tracey of Victorville, CA.; 11 grandchildren (Stephen, Kevin, Austin, Jamie, Trisha, Alisa, Stephanie, Rick, Mark, Colin and Heather) and 10 great grandchildren (Mason, Landon, June, Trey, Natalie, Parker, Preston, Jocelyn, Jeremy and Emerson).
Words she lived by: Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.” Renee Wood
Memorial services will be Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at The Baptist Church Concordia with Pastor Jonathan Peppers and Pastor Randy Whitley officiating, with burial of the cremains immediately following at the West Branch Cemetery. Friends may sign the register book from 1-8:00 p.m. Friday, July 15 with the family greeting friends from 6:00-7:00 pm all at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Cloud County Historical Society Museum. Chaput-Buoy of Concordia is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
