Barbara Ann Johnston

Barbara Ann Johnston, 82, of Fort Wayne, fell asleep in Christ in the early hours of Monday, April 24, 2023, at Cedarhurst Assisted Living, Fort Wayne. She fought valiantly against the insidious disease known as ALS these past several years, but now enjoys the nearer presence of our Lord and shares in His perfect peace. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 8811 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, with Reverend James Gier of Ascension Lutheran Church officiating. Christian burial will follow at Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne. Calling hours are from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023 and 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2023 all at Ascension Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Greenlawn Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. Barbara was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to William and Margaret Martens on April 2, 1941. She grew up and attended school in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1961, Barbara married Kurt E. Marquart. They resided in Toowoomba, Australia for 15 years, returning to the US in 1975. After Kurt’s death in 2006, Barbara remarried, bringing Robert Johnston into the family in 2008. Barbara retired from her secretarial work at Ascension Lutheran Church and School after serving ten years in 2004 in part so that she could care for Kurt, who also suffered from ALS. Barbara had a deep love for Christ and His church, for her family, and her friends. She had a love for all things beautiful. Barbara was an artist and a diligent reader. She also had a passion for writing which culminated in the writing and publishing of her book “Love Him for Us.” Barbara invested much of herself in supporting her family and encouraging them in the faith. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, William C. and Margaret Martens, her grandson, Erik Marquart, her husband, Kurt Marquart (2006), and her husband, Robert Johnston (2022). She is survived by her brother, William G. Martens; children, Danny (Karen) Marquart, Cynthia (Kerry) Johnson, Barry (Monika) Marquart, Angela (John) Hill, and Anthony (Rebecca) Marquart; step-children, Paul (Lynn) Johnston, Mark (Jane) Johnston, Peter (Kay-Lynn) Johnston, Thomas (Lynn) Johnston, Kathleen Hansen, and step-daughter in law, Judy Johnston; grandchildren, Jennifer Wagner, Tristan Marquart, Stacy Smith, Jamie Johnson, Lynn Marchelletta, Amanda Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Joshua Ratzburg, Erik Ratzburg, Rachel Tindall, Sam Marquart, Andrew Hill, Christina Lewallan, Marie Olson, Catherine Andersen, Michael Hill, Bailey Marquart, Riley Marquart, and Adalyne Marquart, and a host of lovely great grandchildren as well, along with fabulous nieces and nephews, all of whom Barbara was extremely proud. The Johnston side of the family also brings a host of lovely grand and great- grandchildren to the list. The Johnstons and the Marquarts have known each other since those early days in Australia. It has been a great joy and comfort for the families to have, and to help, each other during these past few health-challenged years shared by Robert and Barbara. Memorials may be given to Ascension Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne. The family wishes to thank the faithful workers from Parkview Home Health, especially Sharon and Abby, Parkview Pharmacy for providing IV nutrition without fail all these months, as well as the staff at Cedarhurst, for the much-needed care, comfort, assistance, and friendship they offered Barbara during her declining health.