Marla Johnson

On January 10, 2026, the world lost one of its brightest lights when Marla Johnson, our beloved Mother embarked on her next journey at the ripe young age of 88 years old.

Born on September 14, 1937, Marla was raised in San Diego by her father, Howard Fackrell, a potato farmer from Idaho, and Guadelupe Quijada, a stunning beauty from Mexico. She was #5 of 8 children, and a devoted member of the Mormon church, with a penchant for green tea frappucinos, wearing flowers in her hair, wandering through bookshops, and all music from Elvis to Aerosmith to the cowboy songs of Kenny Rogers.

Marla played the upright bass in her high school orchestra, and marched as a high-stepping flag twirler. One evening at a USO dance in La Jolla, Marla met her destiny. A handsome young sailor was in attendance and had all the girls aflutter. Marla said she decided to ignore him, but he didn't ignore her. Thad Johnson from Utah had heard about the "prettiest girl in San Diego," and within a few months they were married. Over the course of their 60-year-marriage, they moved more than 10 times, had 6 children, a lot of grandchildren, and close to a million great grandchildren. They were wildly in love with each other and one could often find them dancing on the patio to Elvis.

Marla loved to dance, but she would never engage in any activity that messed up her hair. She was renowned among her family for her steadfast dedication to her #1 beauty secret–wrapping her hair in toilet paper every night…

Charmin if you really must know.

While living in Chicago, Marla worked out at the Gloria Marshall Figure Salon where she strapped herself into a machine that would exercise FOR her. That way she wouldn't have to sweat and ruin her hair. Her favorite part of Gloria Marshall was the location–right next door to Poppin Fresh Pies so she could follow her workout with a slice of her favorite pie.

In her 50's, Marla returned to college to attain her degree so she could finally fulfill her lifelong dream of teaching school. Called "Senora Johnson," Marla spent the next two decades teaching Spanish immersion to children in both CA and Utah, and each year, getting her classroom ready for her little students was an elaborate activity on par with building a small country.

Marla's favorite activity was rocking babies to sleep, and she flew around the country from family to family to help take care of as many grandbabies as possible. She could often be found in the rocking chair nibbling cookies over a newborn's head.

Marla loved to shop and never passed up a sale. She would brag for a week about the elegant black dress she found on the sale rack at Dillards for $3. Her closets were packed with colorful sparkling clothing, jewelry and an impressive array of hats.

She loved to eat at the Cracker Barrel nearly as much as she loved casinos, and there isn't a slot machine in Wendover that escaped her exuberant hands of video poker. After a jackpot, she was known to walk on clouds for weeks. Her love of slot machines was only outdone by her love of yard gnomes. Every spring, she pulled out her paint and brushes, carefully refreshing all her gnomes. She loved to sew intricate doll clothes, play the piano, watch old westerns, eat dessert before a meal, and all children (except when they were jumping on her couch).

She was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Thad, her eldest daughter, Marlina, and all the pets she ran over throughout the years.

Survived by her children Carlos, Vaughn, Maria, Marci, and Marlise, she leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter, and a wildly dysfunctional family who adored her. The world will never be the same to those of us who loved her.

For those of you who want to find her, she can likely be found dancing on a cloud with her beloved husband.

Our Mom will be celebrated on January 23, 2026 at the Copperpoint Chapel, 11173 South Copperpoint Way, South Jordan, Utah. Viewing 9:30am-10:15am; Funeral Services 10:30am-11:30am; Burial at Camp Williams Cemetery, 12pm