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 8 th 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.