Marilyn Clare Johnson

Marilyn Clare Johnson, aged 77, of Belle Plaine, passed away surrounded by family on July 12, 2026. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Belle Plaine at 11 a.m., with Rev. Wayne Waibel officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine from 4-7 p.m. and will continue one hour before the service at the church.

Marilyn was born on January 16, 1949, to Benjamin and Eleanora (Otto) Sellnow in New Prague. She was raised on the family farm in Blakeley Township. She attended Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School until 8th grade, then went to Belle Plaine High School and graduated in 1967. During high school, she caught the eye of Thomas Johnson, and they became high school sweethearts. Tom was drafted in 1968 and returned for their wedding on August 30, 1969, at the First Presbyterian Church of Belle Plaine. They enjoyed their first year of marriage in Aschaffenburg, Germany, while Tom was completing his service obligation. When they returned, they raised their two daughters in Blakeley Township.

Marilyn was known by many as the owner and operator of Marilyn’s Country Boutique. She attended Mendel Cain Beauty School in Minneapolis, and began to see clients in her home. After 5 years, they built a home in Blakeley Township with a beauty shop in the basement. She treasured many of the area's lifelong clients.

She was a very active and engaged member at First Presbyterian Church. She also took part in the community as a 4-H leader, delivered Meals On Wheels, and donated gallons of blood. She will be remembered by many, even the babysitters and grandchildren, for baking fabulous chocolate chip cookies and “nana bread”. Through her generous servant’s heart, she never left a mouth unfed or a frown unturned. May her great light continue to shine through the legacy she has left her children and grandchildren.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Tom; daughters, Jennifer (Troy) Peck of Minnetonka and Julie (Trevor) Erlandsen of Belle Plaine; grandchildren, Allison (David), Benjamin, and Camille Peck and Axel (Sarah) and Harlee Erlandsen; sister, Beverly (Manley) Stier of Belle Plaine; and sister-in-law, Barb Sellnow of Blakeley Township.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Darrell Sellnow.