Marion Ruth Johnson, 90
Marion Ruth Johnson, 90, after her brave battle with pancreatic cancer, passed away peacefully in her apartment at Centre Manor in Kalispell on Sept. 30, 2014.
Marion, (her family called her Virginia), was born in Havre on Dec. 21, 1923, to Ted and Martha Gigrich. She grew up with her two sisters and brother on their farm in Hogeland and graduated from high school.
She married Harry Victor Johnson of Hogeland on July 30, 1940. They soon moved to Tacoma, Wash., to find new occupations and raise their daughters. During World War II, she served her country by learning how to weld and was put to work on aircraft carriers being built at the shipyards in Tacoma. Marion worked for a time at Manning’s Cafeteria. Her work ethic was noticed by the president of a nearby banking institution who offered her training and a job. Starting out as a teller at Pacific First Federal in Tacoma, she moved up in the ranks and finished her career as the manager of American Savings and Loan in Lakewood, Wash. During her time in Lakewood she received a commendation from the FBI for help in nabbing a bank robber.
She loved politics and was recognized for her faithful voting at every election for over 60 years. She took early retirement in 1985 to be able to travel and spend time together with her husband who had become quite ill. Harry predeceased her in 1989.
They both had become strong believers in Jesus Christ with membership in McKinley Park Christian Church and South Lakeshore Christian Church in Tacoma. She moved back to Montana in the spring of 2010 to be near her sisters and other family members. She felt at home with her new Christian friends at Family Life Christian Church in Kalispell. She enjoyed her nice apartment at Centre Manor and made it her home.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Dunbar, and husband, Allan, of Kalispell; and daughter, Connie Johnson, and husband, Edwin, of Glasgow; five grandchildren, Daren Dunbar and wife Joy of Calgary, Alberta, Jill Dunbar of Surrey, British Columbia, Heather Reynolds and husband Bud of Alameda, Calif., Joy Milardo and husband Greg of Camus, Wash., and Brooke Atkinson and husband Frank of Atlanta. There are nine great-grandchildren, Jelisa, Jordan, Sierra, Hailey, Logan, Hope, Andrea, Liam and Kahlan. Also surviving her are her sisters, Carolyn Roselli and Lucille Hammer of Kalispell.
She was predeceased by her brother, Ted Gigrich, who passed away in 1986; and a grandson, Logan Marsh (whose wife was Lisa).
A special time of memory and celebration will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Family Life Christian Church, 1075 Foys Lake Road, followed by fellowship and refreshments. Interment will be beside her husband at Mountain View Memorial Park in Tacoma.
Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the thoughts and prayers of family and friends and the selfless service provided by Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Marion's honor would be gratefully received for the many ministries of Family Life Christian Church, P.O. Box 7965, Kalispell MT 59901; or Home Options Hospice, 275 Corporate Drive, Suite 600, Kalispell MT 59901.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is in charge of information and arrangements. To send a note of condolence to the family, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com.