Marilyn Kay Johnson

After an extended period of illness, Marilyn Kay (Fisher) Johnson, 89, died on September 23, 2022, with her family by her side, at her home in Basye, VA. She was born on April 14, 1933, in Ashton, Iowa, to Thomas Fisher, a farmer, and Dena (Miller) Fisher, a housewife. She attended one-room schools from K-8th grade, graduated from Sibley High School in 1951, and went on to study at Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa. In 1953, she graduated with a teaching degree, kick starting her career as a first-grade teacher at Union County School, Union, Iowa, for two years before marrying the love of her life, Virgil John Johnson, a young Navy pilot, on December 21, 1955. As Virgil's Navy career progressed, it required the young family to move around the country and beginning with 1956, they lived in Chula Vista, CA, Ferndale, MD, Monterey, CA, Coronado, CA Arnold, MD, Virginia Beach, VA and then retired to Basye, VA in 1998. Marilyn was a loving wife and mother to four sons, Daniel Scott, who was born in Coronado CA, twins Michael Thomas and Marc David, who were born in Chula Vista, CA and Patrick Virgil, who was born in Norfolk, VA. She leaves behind seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Marilyn played the piano well, and during many church services in Ashton, would accompany her mother in a piano-organ duet. She was active in the Thoroughgood Garden Club in Virginia Beach and various other Garden Clubs, loved to play bridge and plan lunches with her friends, cooking from scratch and always trying out new recipes. She made homemade cooking an important priority in bringing together family and made absolutely certain her children and grandchildren grasped the same interest. She loved day trips to go antiquing with her friends and taking long scenic routes on any trip. Later in life she enjoyed trying her luck in the casinos. She also spent considerable time with her grandchildren taking them on a number of trips and being involved in their lives as well. The family always saw Marilyn's best side, which taught the family civility and finesse, among other classy things. She had many illnesses through the years and was extremely proud that she was able to beat them all including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, breast cancer, two strokes, gall bladder surgery among others. She enjoyed her steak, stewed tomatoes, and salty dog on a warm summer afternoon. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Virgil John Johnson; children Daniel Scott (Anna Maria) Johnson of Virginia Beach; Michael Thomas and Marc David of Basye; grandchildren Daniel Scott Johnson (Aubrey) and their daughters (Callie and Collette) and their son (Lucas); Dr. C. Bryce Johnson (Danielle), their sons (Phineas and Reid ) and their daughter (Evelyn), Scott Michael (Jennifer)and their sons (William and Logan); Patrick Virgil and wife Dena's children (Zachary, Coleman, Hanna and Braxton), and grand step-daughter Kristina Farah (Kasey). She is also survived by sister-in-law Mary Fisher of Sibley Iowa; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Dena Fisher; parents- in-law Mike and Dena Johnson; brothers Harold and Dale, sister Kathleen Walrich, and Marilyn and Virgil's son Patrick, and his wife Dena. Memorial Service will be held on November 23, 2022, at 11:30 am in the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 319 Orkney Grade Basye, Va. Previous Events Service NOV 23. 11:30 AM (ET)PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 319 Orkney Grade Road Basye, VA 22810

Marilyn Kay Johnson

April 14, 1933 - September 23, 2022