Martha "Marty" Y Johnson

Martha “Marty” Y. Johnson, 92, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Born on February 9, 1931, in Evansville, IN she was a daughter of the late Edward H and Mary Ella (Goldsmith) Yokel. She attended the Evansville schools graduating from Reitz High School in 1949. Her talent for playing the piano and organ and singing led her to Northwestern University where she graduated with a Music Education degree in 1953. While at Northwestern, she met Ken and they married in 1954. Marty embarked on her music career by teaching music in the public schools in Evanston, Illinois, playing the church organ at various churches she and Ken attended, teaching private piano lessons in their home, and retiring in 1991 after more than 16 years of service as the church organist at Messiah Lutheran Church.

Marty was not only an accomplished musician, but was very active in the community, serving on the board of directors for the Fort Wayne YWCA, from 1975-78; Past-President of the Philharmonic Women’s Committee; Past-Dean of the American Guild of Organist; and Past-President of the Sigma Alpha Iota Fraternity, Fort Wayne Alumni Chapter.

Marty and Ken raised two daughters while moving around the United States as Ken pursued his career. Church was central when establishing the family in a new town, and Marty was a dedicated member of churches wherever she and Ken lived. Good Shepherd United Methodist Church was her church home since 1971 where she sang in the choir, attended Sunday school, and served on many committees.

Marty enjoyed exploring the new places she lived. She would take her daughters out on day trips and planned family vacations to the beautiful outdoor parks nearby. Family gatherings were very special with frequent trips to Marty’s hometown in Indiana, to Ken’s hometown in Pensacola, Florida and to Edisto Island, SC where she and Ken loved having their daughters and their grandchildren spend a week with them every April. She and Ken also drove East for many years to spend a week in the summer and Christmas with their daughters’ families. Marty enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, sewing, knitting, and embroidery and taught her daughters for their enjoyment as well.

Marty is survived by her husband of more than 68 years, Kenneth R Johnson; daughters, Karen J von Loesecke and her husband David of Hingham, MA, and Alice J von Loesecke and her husband Peter of Harvard, MA; sisters, Mary Lou Broeker, Ruth McDiffett, and Beth Kruse; and grandchildren Emily, Claire and Jeffrey von Loesecke and Kristen and Tyler von Loesecke.

A Celebration of Marty’s Life will be held Saturday, May 13, at 11:00 at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 4700 Vance Avenue, Ft. Wayne. Memorial donations may be given to Madina Village School, https://madinavillageschool.org/.

Arrangements have been entrusted to D.O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Johnson family at www.mccombandsons.com.