Marly Johnson

Marly Charles Johnson was born May 8, 1951 to Wilfred and Bessie (Stowe) Johnson. They began their life together as farmers in Worthington, MN. They had four girls and two boys; Marly was the sixth child. His formal education began in Alexandria in a one room school house and continued on to graduating from Jefferson High School in 1969. His career decision was to be a teacher which took him first to Fergus Falls Junior College for two years. He then went to Bemidji State University where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree with a double major in Elementary Education and Physical Education. In his last year of college he met Carolyn Lee in Alexandria and one year later they were married on June 9, 1973 in Alexandria. To this union they had three sons: Cory 1977, Tyler 1981 and Lee 1985. Matt Kawlewski came to live with them in 2004 and he claimed Anna and Katie Balgaard as his own kids. His first teaching job was in Bagley, MN and his second was in Warren, MN. He then ended up teaching in Henning, MN where he taught physical education, drivers education, coached wrestling, girls softball, and wrestling referee for 37 years. He enjoyed teaching because he loved all of the students. He retired in May 2012 but continued to be involved in Henning High School substitute teaching, driving bus for sports and coaching girls softball. (picture of Marly as a referee) Marly passed away on February 8, 2014. Marly was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred and Bessie, his sisters, Ruth and Linda, his brother Lenny and nephew Terry Ferguson. Marly is survived by his wife Carolyn; his children: Cory of Atlanta, Georgia; Tyler of San Diego, California; and Lee and Kayla of Alexandria; and granddaughter Ella. Also surviving are his two sisters: Rose Keller of Georgia and Sheri Macbeth of Wisconsin; his brother Ron of Arkansas; along with many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2014, 2:00 PM at Lake Community Church in Alexandria. Pallbearers are Tim Ferguson, Ben Ferguson, Tony Ferguson, Todd Atwater, Brian Gilbert, Patrick Bania, Stan Balgaard, Mike Hepola. Burial was a Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net