Marilyn Minshall

Marilyn Minshall passed away on May 18, 2025 at the age of 92. She was born in September of 1932 in Klamath Falls, OR, to John Sidney Johnson and Agnes Bateman Johnson. Together with her siblings, Ardis and Earl, the family moved to Fortuna, California and again to Santa Rosa, CA.

Following graduation from high school, she attended Santa Rosa Junior College, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she earned a degree in Occupational Therapy. She was active in the Hoofer Club where she met Walter Verney "Wally" Green.

Married in June of 1955, Marilyn followed Wally to Los Alamos, NM, where he joined the staff at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Their daughter Wendy was born in 1957 and sons Scott and Verney in 1958 and 1961. In 1964, the family went to live in Bariloche, Argentina for a year.

Walter and Marilyn divorced in 1975. Marilyn moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and worked for Esperanza Para Nuestros Ninos and then Saint Joseph's hospital. During this period, she maintained her connections in Los Alamos and was introduced to Frederick Minshall by her long-time friend Mary Ranken.

Recently-divorced himself, Fred was in the first class of students to graduate from Los Alamos High School, a University of New Mexico alumni, and veteran of the Korean War. They married on January 1st, 1982 and moved to Littleton, Colorado where Fred finished his career and Marilyn worked for Jefferson Public Schools.

In 1989, Fred and Marilyn moved back to Los Alamos to build their own home—a two-story adobe. Marilyn rekindled old friendships, habits, and hobbies. Together with Fred, they traveled the world; pursued their shared love of Native American culture and worked to perfect their respective crafts. When possible, they enjoyed spending time with their children, including Fred's two daughters Renden (Jeff) Hornung and Terrin Lands, as well as their grandchildren: Nathan Lowe, Sonya, Miles, and Collin Green, and Reid Lands.

Fred Minshall passed in August 2022 and with him went a part of Marilyn.

Preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and her husband Fred, Marilyn is survived by her three children Wendy (Joe) Lowe, Scott Green, and Verney (Martha Gerdes) Green, two step-daughters Renden (Jeff) Hornung and Terrin Lands, as well as her grandchildren: Nathan Lowe; Sonya, Miles, and Collin Green; and Reid Lands.

Marilyn’s family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, 1738 North Sage Street in Los Alamos, NM on Saturday, June 14th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. A private burial will be held at Guaje Pines Cemetery.

The family suggests donations to the AAUW Los Alamos Branch Scholarship Fund or to the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center. For the scholarship fund, checks should be made out to the University of New Mexico Foundation with the following notation in the memo line on the check: “AAUW-Los Alamos scholarship at UNM-LA” and mailed to AAUW-Los Alamos, P.O. Box 272, Los Alamos, NM 87544.Donations to the Fiber Arts Center can be made at https://www.evfac.org/donate-or-volunteer

Please feel encouraged to contribute condolences, stories and pictures for Marilyn at www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com