Von Elda Jean Marshall

Von Elda Jean Marshall, 91 years old, died December 7, 2013 at her home in Benton, Arkansas. Born to Swedish parents, Charles Otto and Agnes Rydell Johnson, October 12, 1922 in Kackley, Kansas, she was the seventh of eight children. She graduated from Scandia High School (the Home of the Flying Swedes) in 1940, after which she and her friend, Scrappy Nylund, drove Route 66 to Los Angeles, California, where she worked as a secretary in the shipyards and for Dun & Bradstreet during WWII. After returning home from California she and Lyle Marshall were married in Scandia, Kansas, on February 1, 1947. In 1950, they moved to Benton, Arkansas where they raised nine children. Jean was a homemaker for many years before she worked as a secretary in the Saline County Extension offices from the mid 1960s to the early 1970s and later as a copy editor for the Saline Courier (formerly The Benton Courier) where she retired. She was honored as Mother of the Year in 1963 by the Benton Junior High PTA and again in 1978 by the Saline Courier (formerly The Benton Courier). Throughout her life she also spent many hours volunteering in the community. She was an active member of the Saline County Extension Homemakers where she served a term as Council President, a member of the Sharon Extension Homemakers and as a volunteer for the Saline Memorial Auxiliary. Jean was a dedicated member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Avilla where she participated in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church Choir. She was a tireless baker and was perhaps best known for her Swedish coffee rings, cream cheese Danish, breads and cakes which she would generously provide for anyone. Many couples remember the wedding cakes she made and decorated for their weddings. She is survived by five daughters and four sons: Beth Lane of Benton, her husband Lloyd and children, Nathan and Kristin; Jan Hurliman of Fayetteville, her husband John and children, Lesha and Angie; Charles Marshall of Hot Springs, his wife Paulette and children, Michael, Cameron and Rebecca; Ben Marshall of Benton, his wife Sonja and children, Wade and Deana; Elsa Peeler of Benton, her husband Jimmy Paul and children, Chace, Ryan, Sarah and Scott; Kyle Marshall of Roland, his wife Brenda and children, Tifany, Britany, Lindsay and Shelly; Mona Totten of Benton, her husband Billy and child, Shane; Tim Marshall of Benton and his child, Mary Katherine; and Lana Bragg of Benton, her husband Mel and children, Joey, Mike and Bart. She is also survived by 27 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Mildred Stanford and brother, Jarl Johnson (Barbara) and sisters-in-law, Norma Lee Johnson and Virginia Lee Marshall Nylund. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, her parents and brothers Lewis, Glenn, Maurice and Chet Johnson, sister, Elsa LeSage and grandson Lance Gaines. Her capacity for love truly had no limits and so she is both survived by and preceded in death by countless friends who were touched by her and who were embraced by her as family. Services will be held at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church at 300 Avilla East, Alexander, on Thursday, December 12 at 1 p.m. A luncheon will be provided by the ladies of the church at 11 a.m. for the family, the congregation and for guests attending the services. Reverend Michael Schleider will conduct the services. Visitation will be held at Roller Ballard Funeral Home in the Chapel on Wednesday, December 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Her grandsons, Nathan Richmond, Wade Marshall, Chace Peeler, Ryan Peeler, Scott Peeler and Joey Bragg will serve as pallbearers. Bart Bragg, Mike Bragg, Cameron Marshall and Michael Marshall will serve as honorary pallbearers. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ballard.