Marlys Johnson

The funeral service for Helen “Marlys” Johnson, of Wadena, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena, with Pastor Nate Loer officiating. Friends may call on Wednesday at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Surrounded by her loving family, Marlys passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena. She was 87 years old. Marlys was born to Henry and Chisteen (Kjos) Friskop on August 22, 1926, in Wyndmere Township, Richland County, ND. After graduating from Wyndmere High School in 1945, she continued her education with formal nurses training at Mercy Hospital in Valley City, before completing her training for a year at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis in 1948. She was then employed at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. Marlys married C. Jerome “Jerry” Johnson on June 3, 1951, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeLamere, ND. They lived in Waconia, MN, moved to Fergus Falls in 1952, and settled in Wadena in 1957. She worked as an RN in Staples and later in Wadena at Wesley Hospital, now Tri-county Hospital, and retired in April 1982. Marlys enjoyed fishing with Jerry, and she loved to bake, play Ladies Day golf in Wadena along with Friday afternoon golfing at Balmoral in Ottertail. She looked forward to playing cards with family & friends and members of the Niblick Card Club. Marlys was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins baseball and Vikings football teams. She found time to participate as a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Immanuel Lutheran Church and church women’s group. She especially enjoyed the annual gathering in Valley City, ND, with her classmates from nurses training. Marlys was preceded in death by her husband Jerry July 5, 2003; parents Henry and Chisteen; and brothers Chester, Merlin, Arvid, Harold and an infant brother. She is survived by her sons Henry (Pat), Jon (Pat) both of Wadena and Tim (Jennell) of Silver Lake; daughter Cheryl (Mike) Kopacz of Hartford, WI; grandchildren Andrew, Molly, Scott, Angie, Alissa, Katie, Aaron and Samantha; step-great-grandson Devin and great-grandson Nolan; sister Gladys Deike of Breckenridge; sisters-in-law Dorothy Friskop and LaMae Friskop both of Fargo, ND; along with a host of friends. Pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren. Burial will be next to her husband in Wadena Cemetery. The family has designated Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena and Children's Grief Connection, 72351 Pine River Road, Willow River, MN 55795, for memorials.

Marlys Johnson

August 22, 1926 - March 30, 2014