Marlys S (Strohbehn) Johns
November 7, 1921 — January 21, 2014
Marlys Strohbehn Cruickshank Johns
1921 ~ 2014
Marlys Johns of McCall passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on January 21, 2014. Marlys lived most of her 92 years in Long Valley, spending her last few months lovingly cared for at The Cottages of Boise, where she relished not having to shovel snow or do her own dishes.
She was born in the family home to Ed and Josie Strohbehn of New Plymouth on November 7, 1921. Raised on a dairy farm she preferred being outside rather than in the kitchen. Marlys enjoyed learning and excelled in her classes. In High School she was also active in Drama Club and Choir. After graduating from New Plymouth High School, she married Charles Cruickshank on September 3, 1939.
As a newly married couple, they moved to the Cruickshank property in Long Valley, farming land where Lake Cascade is currently. The creation of Cascade Reservoir (as it was called then) required them to look for new land. After looking all over the Pacific Northwest they returned to their beloved Long Valley. They purchased the Whitney Farm west of Lake Fork and a lot on the eastside of Payette Lake where they moved their house from the Cascade property. They renamed the Whitney property Highland Farms, where they raised potatoes, grain and clover seed. Marlys, working alongside Charles, was often seen packing sprinkler pipe, rogueing potatoes, running a combine and managing the potato cellar crew. As a hardworking farm wife, she was in the field as much as in the home.
Following Charles’ passing Marlys married Earl Johns on May 7, 1977. The John’s family vacation home was two lots away from the Cruickshank home on Payette Lake, where the families became friends. Earl had owned John’s Leather Goods in Weiser. He then moved to his McCall summer home full time and started McCall Leather Products in 1972. Marlys and Earl lived in that home until building a new home directly across the street in 1989.
They enjoyed a retirement life of travel. Trips included visiting a previous exchange student in Japan, also seeing sites in China and Southeast Asia. Other trips included seeing an Aunt in Alaska, family reunions in the Midwest and along the West Coast. With Earl’s encouragement, Marlys embarked on a trip with her sister Phyllis to Africa. Later Marlys recalled this trip as being one of the highlights of her life. Winters were often spent in Arizona, where Marlys loved the beauty of the desert. Stories were told of expeditions to Mexico and exploring the desert with friends using dune buggies.
Church and family were always important to Marlys. In her childhood she attended the First Baptist Church in New Plymouth; in McCall she became an active member of McCall Baptist Church. As you know, Marlys collected many friends who she considered part of her extended family. She delighted in working her flower gardens, baking bread, cookies and pies. Still baking pies well into her 90’s, you were often offered a slice of pie or some of her homemade jam or jelly. With her quick wit and sense of humor, she was often the center of attention at reunions and potlucks as she shared family stories or told of prankish childhood adventures.
Marlys believed in the value of hard work. She also believed there was a time for fun when the work was done. She balanced her time between field work, housework and raising children. As a result, her children learned the value of hard work and determination, which is reflected in their goals and accomplishments today.
Marlys was preceded in death by both spouses, three sisters, a daughter and a great grandson. She is survived by a brother, Dr. Ben Strohbehn (Lorraine) in Indiana, daughter Linda (Rick) Vancouver, WA, son Gordon (Alyce) McCall, son Marvin (Kelly) Beaverton, OR and step-daughters Whitney (Roger) Corvallis, OR and Kathy (Steve) Vashon, WA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday January 28th at McCall Baptist Church. Memorials may be sent to the McCall Senior Center, Box 2169, McCall, ID 83638 or the charity of your choice. As a woman of faith, one of Marlys’ last requests was “Sing no sad songs for me!”
1921 ~ 2014
Marlys Johns of McCall passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on January 21, 2014. Marlys lived most of her 92 years in Long Valley, spending her last few months lovingly cared for at The Cottages of Boise, where she relished not having to shovel snow or do her own dishes.
She was born in the family home to Ed and Josie Strohbehn of New Plymouth on November 7, 1921. Raised on a dairy farm she preferred being outside rather than in the kitchen. Marlys enjoyed learning and excelled in her classes. In High School she was also active in Drama Club and Choir. After graduating from New Plymouth High School, she married Charles Cruickshank on September 3, 1939.
As a newly married couple, they moved to the Cruickshank property in Long Valley, farming land where Lake Cascade is currently. The creation of Cascade Reservoir (as it was called then) required them to look for new land. After looking all over the Pacific Northwest they returned to their beloved Long Valley. They purchased the Whitney Farm west of Lake Fork and a lot on the eastside of Payette Lake where they moved their house from the Cascade property. They renamed the Whitney property Highland Farms, where they raised potatoes, grain and clover seed. Marlys, working alongside Charles, was often seen packing sprinkler pipe, rogueing potatoes, running a combine and managing the potato cellar crew. As a hardworking farm wife, she was in the field as much as in the home.
Following Charles’ passing Marlys married Earl Johns on May 7, 1977. The John’s family vacation home was two lots away from the Cruickshank home on Payette Lake, where the families became friends. Earl had owned John’s Leather Goods in Weiser. He then moved to his McCall summer home full time and started McCall Leather Products in 1972. Marlys and Earl lived in that home until building a new home directly across the street in 1989.
They enjoyed a retirement life of travel. Trips included visiting a previous exchange student in Japan, also seeing sites in China and Southeast Asia. Other trips included seeing an Aunt in Alaska, family reunions in the Midwest and along the West Coast. With Earl’s encouragement, Marlys embarked on a trip with her sister Phyllis to Africa. Later Marlys recalled this trip as being one of the highlights of her life. Winters were often spent in Arizona, where Marlys loved the beauty of the desert. Stories were told of expeditions to Mexico and exploring the desert with friends using dune buggies.
Church and family were always important to Marlys. In her childhood she attended the First Baptist Church in New Plymouth; in McCall she became an active member of McCall Baptist Church. As you know, Marlys collected many friends who she considered part of her extended family. She delighted in working her flower gardens, baking bread, cookies and pies. Still baking pies well into her 90’s, you were often offered a slice of pie or some of her homemade jam or jelly. With her quick wit and sense of humor, she was often the center of attention at reunions and potlucks as she shared family stories or told of prankish childhood adventures.
Marlys believed in the value of hard work. She also believed there was a time for fun when the work was done. She balanced her time between field work, housework and raising children. As a result, her children learned the value of hard work and determination, which is reflected in their goals and accomplishments today.
Marlys was preceded in death by both spouses, three sisters, a daughter and a great grandson. She is survived by a brother, Dr. Ben Strohbehn (Lorraine) in Indiana, daughter Linda (Rick) Vancouver, WA, son Gordon (Alyce) McCall, son Marvin (Kelly) Beaverton, OR and step-daughters Whitney (Roger) Corvallis, OR and Kathy (Steve) Vashon, WA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday January 28th at McCall Baptist Church. Memorials may be sent to the McCall Senior Center, Box 2169, McCall, ID 83638 or the charity of your choice. As a woman of faith, one of Marlys’ last requests was “Sing no sad songs for me!”
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marlys S (Strohbehn) Johns, please visit our flower store.