Marlene Johnston
Oct. 2, 1931 – Sept. 28, 2008

LANSFORD - Marlene Louise Johnston, 76, of Lansford, died Sunday, September 28, 2008, at a Minot hospital. 

She was born Oct. 2, 1931, in Minot to William and Alvina (Freund) Davis.  She was raised in the rural Lansford area and attended grade school at Meskego, a rural school in Renville County.  She graduated from Lansford High School in 1949.  She was a member of the girls high school basketball team, which went to the state tournament in 1947. 

On July 2, 1949, she married Ivar E. Johnston at St Leo's Catholic Church in Minot.  They resided in Lansford, where Ivar was a mechanic and owner of Johnston Chevrolet Co.  They raised three sons, one daughter and one surrogate daughter.  Marlene and Ivar have spent six months in Florida, each winter, for a number of years. 

Marlene was a member of many organizations including St. John's Catholic Church, Lansford, Lansford Homemakers Club, Mount Rose Social Club, Lansford Ladies Bowling League and Lansford Country Club.  She was very proud to have been a Charter member and EMT on the volunteer Lansford Ambulance Service for 30 years.  When in Florida, she took blood pressures every Monday for residents of the park.  Ivar and Marlene were co-chairpersons of the SARA dance committee. She belonged to several laryngectomy groups including The Chatterbox Club in Tampa, FL.

Marlene enjoyed sewing, which included upholstering, tailoring, quilting and making drapes.  She also enjoyed cooking, golfing, camping, dancing and especially traveling.  She and Ivar traveled in all 50 states, all but three Canadian Provinces and 14 foreign countries.  They've traveled with a trailer, from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to Fairbanks, Alaska.  Hunting with her family, and their German Shorthair dogs, was a highlight of the fall season.  She also enjoyed her computer friends and family, especially after her laryngectomy cancer surgery, in 1999. The computer became her lifeline for communication. Marlene was known for “telling it like it is.” Many have been “buzzed” by her voice machine, including the dogs.

Family:  She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Ivar, of Lansford; sons, Ron, Lansford; Ross (Jeanne), Derby, Kan., Kyle (Lisa), Andover, Kan.; daughter, Karen (Leon) Boden, Ionia, Kan.; and surrogate daughter, Charlena (Jamie) Cavendar, of Del Rio, Tex.; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a brother, Larry Davis, Minot.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Ancel; granddaughter, Theresa; and a great-granddaughter, Shae.

Funeral:  Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, Lansford

Rosary:  Today at 7 p.m. at the church

Burial:  Lansford Cemetery

Sign the Online Guestbook

View Mrs. Johnston's memorial folder  (The links will open in a new window)
Johnston folder inside
Johnston folder outside
Johnston folder insert

Return to Obituaries