Marilyn Yvonne Johnson

Marilyn Yvonne Johnson, age 68, of Grants Pass, died Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.

A memorial graveside service will be at 12 noon, Monday, October 17, 2011 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Grants Pass.

Marilyn was born September 24, 1943 in Juneau, Alaska to James Wilton Hanna & Winifred Edna Hanna and on October 24, 1943 she was baptized at Resurrection Lutheran Church. In 1961 she graduated from Juneau Douglas High School and soon after moved to Ketchikan, Alaska. On February 28, 1970 in Ketchikan she married David Yeisley and they later divorced in 1989. She graduated from Ketchikan Community College where she majored in creative writing, music composition, and English. While living in Ketchikan she worked for Sears and The Landing. In 1993 in Reno, Nevada she married Harry Johnson. Together they traveled throughout the Northwest for work settling in Grants Pass in 2000.

Marilyn enjoyed being a piano teacher to children. She also enjoyed music; singing; making jewelry; working with beads; gardening; traveling; spending time in the outdoors; fishing; and trips to Hawaii. As a young woman, Marilyn was in a trio, KooKittens, and signed a contract with a record company at the young age of 13. Marilyn especially loved her children, grandchildren; and great-grandchild. She was a surrogate mother to many of her son’s friends over the years. She touched the lives of many with her loving spirit and kindness. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

In addition to her husband, Harry Johnson of Grants Pass, Oregon; a son, Tony (Sharyl) Yeisley of Ketchikan, Alaska; a stepdaughter, Laura Jean of Eureka, California; a stepson, Carson (Diana) Johnson of Grants Pass, Oregon; a sister, Judy (James) Sharp of Grants Pass, Oregon; nine grandchildren, Devin Yeisley, Craig De Boer, Ashley DeBoer, Autumn Hansen, Savannah Hansen all of Ketchikan, Alaska, Adam Johnson of Grants Pass, Oregon, and Aubrey, Amber, and Chloe all of Eureka, California; one great-granddaughter, Pearl DeBoer of Ketchikan, Alaska; a niece, Jennifer Rao of San Diego, California; and two nephews, Jason Rao and Jimmy Rao both of San Diego, California.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kelly M. Guy and her parents.