Marvin D. Johnson, 75, of Stratford, died Tuesday, March 24, 2009 near Payson, Arizona. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Stratford Lutheran Church, with Pastor Joe Lambert officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, north of Stratford. Visitation will be at the church from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday and prior to the service on Monday. Arrangements were made with the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. Marvin DeWayne Johnson, son of Leslie and Blanche Hanson Johnson, was born July 29, 1933 on a farm south of Stratford. He received his education at the Stanhope School, graduating in 1952. On June 20, 1954, he married Mary Jo Engelby at the Stanhope Church of Christ. The couple has always farmed in the Stratford-Stanhope area. Marvin served as a Hamilton County Supervisor from 1978 to 1998. He was especially proud of his part in the inspiration and implementation of Support and Encourage Economic Development (SEED). He also enjoyed serving on various committees at the State and National level. He was elected President of the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC). Being around people was one of Marvin's favorite pastimes and he was known for his wit and good humor. Marvin is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; sons and daughters-in-law, Jay and Karen Johnson of Stratford; Curt and Darlene Johnson of Webster City; Steve and Sondra Johnson of Stanhope; Kent and Ngaire Johnson of Ames; Keith Johnson of Minneapolis, MN; daughter and son-in-law, LeeAnn and Austin McNamara of Lake in the Hills, IL; grandchildren, Maegan and Jeremy Scott; Stefanie and Jeremy Ketelsen; Christi Johnson; Jessica Johnson; Trent Johnson and Jill Wittenberg; Eric Johnson; Rachel Johnson; Mark Johnson; Logan Hemmen; Dana McNamara; Ryan McNamara; great-grandchildren, Maliek Johnson and Jordan Johnson. brothers and sisters-in-law; Rodney and Judy Johnson of Cedar Rapids; Darrell and Linda Johnson of Norwalk; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Doris Engelby Rohling of Phoenix, AZ; Duane and Norma Engelby of Stanhope; Rick Engelby of Mesa, AZ; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Dale Engelby and niece, Stacia Carlson. Marvin was a member of the Stratford Lutheran Church, the Stanhope Breakfast Club, the Stratford Breakfast Club, Arizona Water Aerobics, Boone Water Aerobics, Honorary member of the Boone Water Babes Red Hat Club, self proclaimed mayor of Hooks Point and served as the charming head waiter for the Hooks Point Bed and Breakfast. Any memorials will be directed to Stratford/Stanhope area projects administered by Hamilton County SEED, Enhance Hamilton County Foundation, as well as to Parkinson's Disease Research. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Johnson family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com

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