Marlys Ruth Johnson, 88, of Maple Bay, MN, died on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at the Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.  She was born on December 11, 1928, to Elling and Mabel (Bowker) Ellingson in Epping, ND. Marlys grew up along with her two older sisters and brother in western North Dakota on a farm one mile outside of the little town of Epping. At age 14, she enrolled in Augustana Academy at Canton, South Dakota.  After graduating from Augustana in 1946, she attended Concordia College for one year and then L.B.I. in Minneapolis for two years.  It was at L.B.I. she met Ken and they married on April 22, 1951 at the Epping Lutheran Church.

They moved to Maple Bay where Ken worked in construction for various contractors and then in business for himself. There they raised their three children – Tim, Virginia, and Rebecca.  Marlys worked for many years at Lee Nursery and also did house cleaning for seasonal homeowners on Maple Lake.  Ken died on September 15, 2005.  Marlys moved into an apartment in Fertile, where she spent ten years. In June of 2015, she moved to Fair Meadow where she enjoyed the activities and good care.

Marlys was very active in the Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church, along with being active in Ladies Aid and Circle.  She was also a long time Sunday School superintendent.  As superintendent, Marlys wrote and directed many Sunday School Christmas programs.  She also recognized the untapped talent of many fine voices in the senior Sunday School department and formed and directed a girls chorus which performed in many area venues.  Marlys spent many summers raising a large garden and the canning and freezing that goes with it.  She also was known for her cooking and baking.

In 1977, Marlys and Ken went to Spain on a trip earned in Ken's construction business.  For ten years they spent their winters in Arizona where they enjoyed being with friends from 'up north' and entertained visiting family.  In 2000, Marlys and friend, Myrtle Broden, traveled together on a bus trip through scenic New England to see the fall colors.

Marlys is survived by her children: Tim (Sue) Johnson, Maple Bay, MN; Virginia (Hal) Knapp, Spicer, MN; and Rebecca (Iver) Berge, Fargo, ND; 12 grandchildren: Brad (Lisa) Johnson, Jill (Paul) Haugen, Mark (Skyler) Johnson, Paul (Chloe) Johnson, Matt Johnson, Angela (Jeffrey) Rausch, Michael (Chelsey) Knapp, Stefanie (Ryan) Hurrle, Caleb (Reba) Berge, Adam (Rachel) Berge, Rachel (Nate) Piersol, and Isaac Berge, and 21 great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, 2005, brother, Leroy Ellingson, and two sisters: Joyce Melland and Jean Anderson.

Memorial Service: 11 AM Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church, Maple Bay, MN.

Visitation: 5-7 PM with Prayer Service 6:30 PM Friday, March 24, 2017, Visitation at Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.

Burial: Maple Bay Free Lutheran Cemetery, Maple Bay, MN.