Marilyn Johnson

Marilyn Lyvona Johnson (71 years young) went home to heaven on March 18, 2011. She passed away in Ajo, Ariz., from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

Marilyn's life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2011, at the Turnagain United Methodist Church, 3300 W. Northern Lights Blvd. Parking is in back off Turnagain Blvd.

She was born on Jan. 26, 1940, and raised in Sunnyvale, Calif., where she graduated from high school. While in school, Marilyn was a champion baton twirler, earning many honors.

In 1966, she moved to Anchorage, raising her four children while owning many businesses. She married Jake Johnson, the love of her life, in 1977. They raised their eight children together, while deepening their love for Alaska.

Marilyn owned and operated a collection agency and worked with her husband in a family-owned asphalt business. She was a longtime member (39 years) of Beta-Sigma-Phi Sorority. In 2000, she and Jake retired and spent the next 12 winters in Ajo, Ariz.

Marilyn was a wonderful wife, mother and friend to everyone. She was always cheerful and had a kind word for anyone around her. She loved going out to dinner, attending plays, gardening, arranging flowers, traveling and visiting new places, as well as spending time with family and friends at their home. She will be truly missed by all who love her.

She is survived by her mother, Lillian Gilmore, of California; husband, Jake Johnson; their children and spouses, Jayne Johnson, of Eagle River, Karen and Dan Rogers, Jeff and Nariz Johnson, Tim and Carina Johnson, Wendy Dresser, all of Anchorage; Bobette and Robert Eguina, of Grass Valley, Calif.; Sheri and Richard Young of Anchorage; and Michael Sowash, of Hayward, Calif.; and by 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and brothers Wayne Gilmore, of Washington, and Robert Gilmore, of California.

Charitable donation may be made on behalf of Marilyn Johnson to the Odyssey Hospice, at 6215 E. Arbor Ave., Mesa, Ariz., 85206 or ALS Association of Arizona, 4643 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., 85018.