Marjie A. Hanssen

Marjie A. Hanssen passed away on Tuesday, September 5, surrounded by her family, after suffering a brain aneurysm and stroke. She was 70 years old.  

Marjie was born December 1, 1952, in Stoughton, WI to Douglas and Ardys (Holtan) Pfundheller. Along with siblings Mark and Karen, she enjoyed an active and adventurous childhood. The Pfundhellers spent summers at the family cottage on Lake Kegonsa, where Marjie’s love of the water and fierce love of family were born.

As the eldest child, Marjie was compelled to share her wisdom and opinions from a young age. She was a natural instructor, not only “teaching” her siblings (and any other neighborhood kid who would listen), but also training her horse Geretta Hoops and dog Pixie for competition.

Marjie graduated from Stoughton High School, where she played percussion in the band and loved being a Norwegian Dancer. When she was 16, Marjie was chosen to model for Manchester’s Department Store in Madison. Always stylish, and extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage, she was a fixture at Stoughton’s Syttende Mai fashion show, modeling her beautiful Norwegian bunad.

She attended UW-Madison where she developed her love of education, Badger sporting events and Plaza burgers. After graduating in 1975, Marjie embarked on her career as a high school English teacher in Chetek, WI, where she also added golf coach to her resume (a role she played unofficially throughout her life).

After spending time in California, Marjie returned to Stoughton where she gave birth to her children, Brianna and Theodore, engaged in her interests like Stoughton Village Players and horse training, and reveled in being a mom and an active participant in the close-knit community.

She transitioned from teaching to a successful 36-year career in real estate when she became the first female realtor at the office of Hill Anderson Pfundheller in 1987. Marjie eventually became a partner, forming Hill Hanssen Pfundheller, which was later bought by Stark Company where she worked until her death.

Marjie also had a passion for buying, rehabbing and selling houses before “flipping” became all the rage. Whether at her Victorian house in Stoughton, the farmhouse she built in Albion, or her log cabin on the shores of Lake Koshkonong, Marjie really knew how to make a house feel like home.

Last year, Marjie wrote a final chapter by buying a condo in downtown Madison, living the city life, and attending endless cultural events, something she tried to instill in her five grandchildren. She delighted in “her joys,” accompanied them to their lessons, sports and activities, and took them on special grandma adventures whenever she could.

A breast cancer survivor, Marjie had a fighting spirit and was game for almost anything. She could be seen doing her “par dance” on the golf course, was a fierce poker, Rummikub and cribbage player, and could turn virtually anything into a competition. Marjie loved to travel, and her favorite destinations were always along the water, especially Sanibel Island, Puerto Vallarta and the Amalfi Coast.

She spent her final summer doing what she loved best – attending Concerts on the Square, playing golf, spending Sundays at the lake, and vacationing in Door County with her children and grandchildren. Although gone too soon, she taught everyone around her to live life to the fullest.

Marjie is survived by her children Brianna (Jeff) Dimond and Theodore (Charity) Hanssen; grandchildren August, Charlie, Emilia, Tessa and Greta; sister Karen (Greg) Gilbert, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Mark Pfundheller.

Visitation will be from 4-7PM on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at CRESS STOUGHTON, 206 W. Prospect St, Stoughton, WI 53589.  Visitation will continue from 10-11:00 AM on Friday, September 15, 2023 at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 310 East Washington Street, Stoughton, WI 53590 with a Memorial Service to follow at 11:00 AM.

Cress Funeral Home Stoughton

608-873-9244