Memorial

Marilyn Joan Johnson Sell of Marion, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Willow Gardens Care Center.

Funeral services will take place 1:00 PM Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories officiated by Pastor Peter Mitchell.  Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation: 4-7:00 PM Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marilyn’s name may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Organization at Village Ridge. 

Marilyn was born December 30, 1931 in Nome, North Dakota to Christian and Edna Strom Johnson.  She grew up in Kathryn, North Dakota, and graduated from Valley State Teachers College in Valley City, North Dakota in 1952.  She was united in marriage to Gene Douglas Sell on June 10, 1960 in Kathryn, North Dakota, and became an instant mother to six-year-old John Sell.  They were later blessed with daughter, Joanne.

Marilyn worked as a business education teacher in Grand Forks, Minnesota and later with Marion Independent School District until her retirement in 1995.  She was a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, and PEO Chapter KJ in Marion.  

She loved to play bridge and travel.  She also enjoyed fishing, reading, and spending time with her grandkids.

She is survived by her husband Gene of Marion; children John Sell of Honey Creek and JoAnne Tompkins of Marion; grandchildren Josephine and Jonah Tompkins; sisters: Bonnie Farhart of Anthem, Arizona; Lorraine Larson of Valley City, North Dakota; and Chickie Jacobson of Covington, Washington; and brother Chris Johnson of Casselton, North Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Douglas Johnson.

The family would like to thank Village Ridge and Willow Gardens for their loving care of Marilyn for the last two years.