Marilyn Johannessen

May 8, 2024 at 8:31 a.m.
(Jim Durrant.K/J Durrant Consulting)


Marilyn Johannessen, 95, a longtime Rush County area resident, passed away April 29, 2024 in Rushville.  She was born to Russell L. and Gleta (Reed) Dora on September 27, 1928 in Rush County.  Marilyn was a 1947 graduate of Raleigh High School.  She received her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Purdue University in 1951 and her master’s degree in education from Butler University in 1962.  She married Vaughn L. Johannessen, Jr. on September 6, 1952; he preceded her in death on September 18, 2019.

Marilyn taught home economics from 1963 until her retirement in 1983.  She began teaching at Arlington High School in Indianapolis and retired as department chair from John Marshall High School in Indianapolis.

She enjoyed her church family in Rushville at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where she was very active with several committees.  Marilyn was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority while she attended Purdue University and was a member of P.E.O.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Jim) Durrant of Galena, Ill. and Kristin (Norm) Klapper of Brentwood, Calif., her grandchildren, Jennifer (Andy) Marchese, Kristin (Dave) Mehl, Aaron Klapper and Sarah (Ryan) Garvin and her great-grandchildren, Samantha and Colin Garvin, Emily and Allison Mehl and Jake and Katie Marchese.  Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother, Maurice Reed Dora.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2 p.m. in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where friends may visit the family from 1 p.m. until time of service.  Private inurnment will take place in Rushville’s East Hill Cemetery.  Pastor Lonny Goen will preside.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.

Moster Mortuary, Rushville, entrusted with arrangements.

Paid obituary.

Marilyn Johannessen, 95, a longtime Rush County area resident, passed away April 29, 2024 in Rushville.  She was born to Russell L. and Gleta (Reed) Dora on September 27, 1928 in Rush County.  Marilyn was a 1947 graduate of Raleigh High School.  She received her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Purdue University in 1951 and her master’s degree in education from Butler University in 1962.  She married Vaughn L. Johannessen, Jr. on September 6, 1952; he preceded her in death on September 18, 2019.

Marilyn taught home economics from 1963 until her retirement in 1983.  She began teaching at Arlington High School in Indianapolis and retired as department chair from John Marshall High School in Indianapolis.

She enjoyed her church family in Rushville at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where she was very active with several committees.  Marilyn was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority while she attended Purdue University and was a member of P.E.O.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Jim) Durrant of Galena, Ill. and Kristin (Norm) Klapper of Brentwood, Calif., her grandchildren, Jennifer (Andy) Marchese, Kristin (Dave) Mehl, Aaron Klapper and Sarah (Ryan) Garvin and her great-grandchildren, Samantha and Colin Garvin, Emily and Allison Mehl and Jake and Katie Marchese.  Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother, Maurice Reed Dora.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2 p.m. in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where friends may visit the family from 1 p.m. until time of service.  Private inurnment will take place in Rushville’s East Hill Cemetery.  Pastor Lonny Goen will preside.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.

Moster Mortuary, Rushville, entrusted with arrangements.

Paid obituary.

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