On May 1, 2020 in Bothell, Washington, the incomparable Marlys Darlane Trygg danced her final promenade. Born in Wilton, North Dakota on July 14, 1931 to Conrad Leonard Johnson and Hazel May Newman, Marlys was the youngest of 6 to her brother George and sisters Velma, Helen, Doris, and Bernadine. The Johnson 6 grew up in farm life, and as Marlys grew so did her love of all things country. You can bet she’s on a mission to befriend Elvis and square dance with Johnny Cash as we speak. She spoke of reuniting with her youngest sons, Daniel and Jon as well, who left this Earth far too soon, while her husband Gary Proctor, sister Bernadine, son Conrad, three daughters in law, five grandchildren and their spouses, and nine great-grandchildren grieve the incredible woman she was.
Marlys graduated high school on a Thursday and got married that Saturday, May 28, 1949 to David Trygg. Following the arrival of their first son, Conrad Uno in 1950, the Tryggs do-si- doed over to Seattle. As the decade progressed, sons Daniel Orest Trygg (1953) and Jon David Trygg (1960) had joined the family as well. While a florist for most of her life, her legacy is in the family she created. Lucky to bring on three daughters-in-law, Emily Bishton (Conrad), Michelle Trygg (Daniel), and Traci Trygg (Jon), Marlys’ branch of the family tree kept growing. The couples sprouted 5 Trygg Grandchildren for Marlys; Joshua, Carin, and Jared born to Jon and Traci, as well as Brian and Alison born to Daniel and Michelle. The final years of Marlys’ life bloomed with great - grandchildren; Brekken, Reddington, and Colter (Brian and wife Kelsy), Jon Owen, Dash, and Kesler (Carin and husband Connor Klein), Ruby (Josh and wife Melissa), Mason and the newest Trygg, Blakely Jo (Jared and wife Stephanie). Watching Marlys spend time with her grandchildren and great- grandchildren was to watch love and joy in their purest form. Her eyes sparkled almost as much as her clothing as she spoke about them with her friends.
Marlys never turned down a cup of coffee, extra foamy and extra hot with a side of burnt peanut butter toast. Her Christian faith guided her life, as she was often reminding others that we have little control over anything other than how we treat one another. She loved to dance, especially when wearing her favorite cowboy boots. We will remember sitting around her white tree at Christmas while eating pfeffernusse cookies and cowboy coffee cake, playing card games like Golf or Hand & Foot, the feeling of a calming head scratch from her perfectly painted nails, and so many other things that made her so uniquely Marlys. Fondly known as G- Ma, she rocked costume jewelry and her silver hair as only she could have; with class and charisma. Her quirks are the glitter on our fond memories of her life. She will be sorely missed and widely celebrated.
To close, the words of Johnny Cash from his song
If
we never meet again this side of heaven;
If we never meet again this side of heaven
As we struggle through this world and its strife
There's another meeting place somewhere in
heaven
By the side of the river of life
Where the charming roses bloom forever
And where separation comes no more
If we never meet again this side of heaven
I will meet you on that beautiful shore.