- Date Of Birth: October 9, 1932
- Date Of Death: June 13, 2021
- State: Illinois
Marlene M. (Johnson) Murphy, age 88, of Batavia, passed away Sunday, June 13, 2021 at Michealsen Health Care Center.
She was born in 1932 in Geneva, the daughter of Swedish immigrant descendants, Ture and Agnes (Hanson) Johnson.
Marlene was an extraordinary caring, giving, and thoughtful individual, not only to her husband, children, and extended family, but also to the many friends she had throughout her lifetime. She was a graduate of Geneva High School, and a true loyal Viking. Marlene attended Augustana College after high school and then worked at Burgess Norton in Geneva where she met James A. (Jim) Murphy, who she married and agreed to abide by the initials J.A.M. for their four children’s names. At the beginning, Marlene was an integral part of the family’s store, Murphy’s Hardware Store, in West Chicago. Later she worked at the First National Bank in West Chicago and was involved in several organizations including the local Mother’s Club and the Delnor Hospital Auxiliary. Marlene and Jim eventually moved back to Marlene’s roots in Geneva. There she worked at Viking Office Supply for years alongside her brother, Weldon Johnson. Marlene enjoyed traveling with Jim. They traveled across the country and numerous times to Europe. Marlene, very much, enjoyed entertaining family and friends throughout her life. She’s a true Swedish Princess in our eyes!
She is survived by her children Jay (Julie) of Geneva, Jalene Swoveland of Conyers, Georgia, Joel (Diane) of Bloomington, Illinois, and Jill Nippert of Geneva; grandchildren Joseph Murphy, Breda (Adam Marshall), James (Brandi) Murphy, Glenna (Dave Daughtery), Joshua (Charla) Swoveland, Taylor Swoveland, Jared (Samantha) Murphy, Jason (Katie) Murphy, Jaclyn Murphy, Ashley (Rob Yoggerst), (Jeff Molsen), and Kelsey (Rod Hilton); 11 great grandchildren; and many other dear relatives and friends.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, brother Weldon Johnson, son-in-laws James Swoveland and Daniel Nippert, granddaughter Whitney (Nippert) Molsen, and her devoted husband of 55 years who passed away in 2008.
