Marilyn Johansen

Marilyn Shirley (Geraldson) Johansen, age 83, of Wakonda passed away December 7th, 2021, in Tomball, TX. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00AM, Thursday, December 16, 2021, at the Hansen Funeral Home, Irene. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Marilyn was born on July 29th, 1938, to Marie and Tellef Geraldson of Midway, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marvin, infant brother Dewey, and sister Gladys Deceptris. She is survived by her daughter, Kristy Johnson of Tomball, TX; son, Chan Johansen of Seattle, WA; two granddaughters, Kelsey Chamberlain of Golden, CO, Haley Johnson of Tomball, TX and several cousins.

Marilyn married Marvin Johansen on June 23rd, 1962 and they moved into their house that Marvin built in Wakonda.

She was a 1956 graduate of Irene High School, and attended Southern State College in Springfield, SD, where she received her two-year teaching degree. She was an elementary teacher in Viborg and Wakonda and was also a substitute teacher for many years. Marilyn also worked as the bookkeeper for the family owned Wakonda Lumberyard and Johansen Construction Company.

Marilyn was an avid gardener while in her prime, with a large garden known for its huge rhubarb patch. She loved growing flowers, cooking/baking, quilting, and especially enjoyed getting together with friends for coffee, playing cards, and talking about the goings-on of small-town life. She enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters cooking, gardening, providing exhilarating lawn mower rides, visiting the park, the zoo, Disney World and trips to Galveston, TX. When at home, sitting inside looking out her bay window was her solitude, but sitting outside in good weather chatting with anyone walking by was her favorite activity.

Marilyn was a member of Wakonda First Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, Wakonda Quilters, Star Club and the American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years.

In April of 2021 she relocated to Tomball, TX to be closer to family. In her new environment people continued to comment on what a delightful personality Marilyn shared with everyone around her and her contagious smile. It is this sweet, outgoing personality, her ease of striking up a conversation with others, and the welcoming smile to everyone she encountered, for which she'll be most remembered.