Marlys Deanna Johnson

"Heaven and earth will pass away but by My words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35

Marlys Deanna Johnson, 88 of St. Cloud MN went home to Jesus on August 28, 2025, in Lakeville MN with her family by her side singing hymns and giving thanks for her nurturing spirit and love for family

Marlys was born on February 1, 1937, in Blue Earth MN to Fred and Edna (Boettcher) Porter. Her parents and brother Gene were active members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where Marlys began her faith journey with Christ, confirmed in 1951 with Acts 4:12 as her memory verse….. " Neither is there salvation in any other (than Jesus) : for there is no other name under heaven given among mankind , whereby we must be saved". While attending Blue Earth High school, she canned peas at the Green Giant plant, supporting her college days at St Olaf College where she majored in vocal music, sang in the choir and played piano and viola. She went on to teach chorale music upon graduation in Oak Grove, MN and Ripon WI.

On August 19, 1961, she married James Johnson at St Paul's Lutheran in Blue Earth. The young couple lived in East Grand Forks and Benson Minnesota where they started to raise their family of three children. Marlys was in her element as a nurturing mother, teaching the kids how to sing and putting musical instruments in their hands. She led the family in singing together at nursing homes and in church for many years when the family lived in Crystal MN. Her greatest nurturing act was placing God's Word in the hands of her children and professing Christ as her Lord and Savior.

The family moved to St Cloud where they put down roots. Marlys and Jim loved singing duets and singing as a family at their home church of Our Saviors Lutheran and later at Rejoice Lutheran in Clearwater. Marlys was an advocate for people in need in the St Cloud community and beyond, including a mission trip to El Salvador to support the people struggling to rebuild after the war. She enjoyed Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and volunteering in the community serving as an election official and as a Board member for the local Habitat for Humanity Chapter. She was an avid Vikings and Twins fan and saw both World Series wins with family at the Metrodome. She spent many years as a paraprofessional at St Cloud Tech High School and was a favorite of many students, including her own kids!

Marlys and Jim loved traveling, especially to Mexico and to their homelands of England and Norway. Marlys especially loved being a mom and a grandma and enjoyed being active in her children and grandchildren's lives, welcoming their many friends into their home. She was the consummate host for birthdays, family gatherings, and church family events, ensuring that each person had their special or favorite food or desserts, especially at Christmas with her many varieties of cookies and breads. She was blessed by giving to others and ensuring each person felt special.

Marlys was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend who is survived by her children Fred (Kristin) Johnson of Eagan, MN; Priscilla (Mark Hathaway) Johnson of Washington DC; and Pamela (Bill Amberg) Johnson of Saint Paul: and her grandchildren, Bryce Johnson of Nashville, Tennessee and Gracia Johnson of Burnsville Minnesota. Marlys was proceeded in death by her husband Jim, her parents and her brother Eugene Porter.

In her final months, the family enjoyed engaging in daily Bible study with Marlys as she prepared for her heavenly home going. During each study we would read together John 14:6 …. " I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me"…. and Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved", to which she replied…. "I Believe It"! Praise God for His promises made and for her belief in those promises.

Memorials are being accepted for Place of Hope Ministries of St Cloud and Pregnancy Choices of Apple Valley. A Monday September 22 celebration of life and resurrection is planned at the Hosanna Church Chapel 9850 163rd St. West in Lakeville MN with visitation at 3pm and service at 4pm.