Aug 21, 2025 4:32 AM

Marjorie Louise "Marge" Classen

Posted Aug 21, 2025 4:32 AM
Marjorie Louise "Marge" Classen.jpeg
Marjorie Louise "Marge" Classen.jpeg

Marjorie Louise "Marge" Classen, 84, of Burlington, died Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at her residence at Addington Place.

Born Feb. 23, 1941, in Aledo, Ill., she was the daughter of Ronald E. and Louise M. Seiver. She was a 1959 graduate of Winona High School in Viola, Ill,  and a 1962 graduate of Iowa Wesleyan, earning her Bachelor’s Degree.

She married Alvin A. Classen on June 18, 1966, in West Liberty, Iowa. He preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 2012.

Marge was a Science teacher for Burlington Notre Dame Catholic Schools for 18 years until her retirement in 2001.

She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church where she served as a council member, Sunday school teacher, and with Parish Life Communication. She earned the 1975 Outstanding Young Woman in Trenton, Mo., the District Award of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America, and served as the PTA President for Washington School. In 1985, she was selected for the NASA workshop at Huntsville, Ala. Marge was a water instructor at the YMCA for many years. She was a past director for the Burlington Women’s Bowling Association and earned the Secretary of the Year twice and the Merit Award. She was a member of the Burlington Bowling Hall of Fame and involved in the local chapters of Al-Anon and Alloteen.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary (Phil) Bisenius; two sons, Douglas (Lisa) Classen and Nathan (Dyneah) Classen; grandchildren, Travis Bisenius, Bryce Bisenius, Elsa Classen, Freya Classen, Willa Classen, Noah Classen; step- granddaughter Amanda Beeding; sister, Pauline (Fred) Lundeed; sisters-in-law, Mary Classen, Marjorie Seiver, Carolyn (John) Yeater, Viola (Chuck) Kemmerer; brother-in-law Charles (Carolyn) Gertz; special friends Lori Easterla, Angela Wolf, Mike and Diane Rouse and their children Devin and Sara and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alvin, son Christopher Classen, step-father Loren Bates, brothers James Seiver, Harold Seiver and Richard Seiver, brothers-in-law Chuck Classen and Marion Classen, sister-in-law Wilma Classen, and special friend Carol Kreider.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 27 at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends. The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 28th at Messiah Lutheran Church. Pastor DaMisha McFarland Pollock will officiate.

Burial will be held in Graham Lee Cemetery (Hamlet Cemetery), Hamlet, Illinois.