Marjorie Elizabeth Johnson was born on September 7, 1918 on the family farm just east of Harper, Kansas to Fred and Helen (Stranahan) Clark.  She was the youngest of three daughters.  Marjorie, or as most knew her, Marge, grew up on the farm with her parents and sisters, Dorothy and Virginia and attended Harper public schools, graduating with the Harper High School class of 1936.  She was always active in sports and was a high school cheerleader.

After high school, she worked for Western Light & Power in Harper and took a correspondence course in Art.  Enlisting in the United States Navy on November 11, 1942, Marge began active service on January 11, 1943 and was trained as a machinist.  She served in World War II and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon.  She enjoyed her time in the Navy and participated in the softball, tennis, and basketball teams.  With the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class, Marge was honorably discharged on November 9, 1945.

While stationed in Atlanta, she met Benjamin Lawton B.L. "Johnnie" Johnson, who was also in the Navy.  A few weeks after his honorable discharge, the couple were married on December 29, 1945.

In 1946, the couple moved back to Harper where Marge was a housewife and raised four children: Clark, Terry, Becky, and Kent, helping them with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church activities, and school sports.  With all of this, she still found time to be active in sports herself and played on the Harper town softball team.  Marge was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday school from the time she was in high school and she served as an elder.

Marge loved to fish and garden, growing both vegetables and beautiful flowers.  She received many ribbons for her flower arrangements and was in charge of the flower department at the Harper County Fair for many years.  In 1967, Marge started caring for the Grimmitt children: Cynthia, Dana, and Michael, who she helped raise and loved as her own.  And then later she worked at the Jack & Jill Grocery Store.

Marge always loved being outdoors, especially growing things.  She enjoyed visiting over the fence with her neighbor, Ella Louise Jacobs about their gardens' progress.  And she especially enjoyed Mrs. Misak's daycare who would stop by while on their walks so she could show them the bunny in the larkspur bloom.  Marge had only one grandchild, Patrick, whose baseball games she loved.  She was an avid supporter of sports on TV, her favorites being college basketball, college women's volleyball, tennis, and pro basketball – except for LeBron James, "the big bully!"

At the age of 101 and with family by her side, Marge passed away peacefully on September 13, 2019 at the Attica Long Term Care Center.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Helen Clark; her husband, B.L. "Johnnie" Johnson; her two sisters, Dorothy May Squire and Virginia (Dinnie) Emily Clark; and almost all of her contemporaries.  She leaves to mourn her four children: Clark Johnson and his wife, Linda of Harper, Terry Ghere and her husband, Floyd of Harper, Becky Beddow and her husband, Dale of Wichita, and Kent Johnson and his wife, Joy of Harper; grandson, Patrick Johnson; numerous nieces and nephews in Tulsa and Georgia; other relatives and many friends.

Visitation is Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Graveside service is 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at the Harper Cemetery with Pastor Ken Davidson officiating.

Memorials may be given to the Harper Recreation (for the ballfield) and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 613 W 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is in charge of the arrangements.