Marlene Joan (Watson) Hanson passed away peacefully on January 2,
2024 with her son and daughter by her side in her last days.
She was born to Leonard and Agnes Watson on July 24th,1933, at Krohn
Hospital in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
On June 9th,1956, Marlene married Arthur Blake Hanson who without his
great support could not have gone on to enjoy the thing she loved, the
world of education. They built a house and started their home on Rural
Route 3 Osseo, Wisconsin where they raised their two children : Kimberly
Sue and Alyn Blake.
As a young girl she attended Tindahl, a one room schoolhouse. On one
occasion, while a student, she was asked to take over the teacher’s
position for sometime as they could not find a substitute. This experience,
no doubt, influenced her educational career choice. Marlene graduated
Salutatorian from Fairchild High School in 1951 and went on to attend
Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and in 1955 she graduated with a degree
in Elementary Education and a minor in history and psychology. In 1972
she attained an MS degree in Curriculum from UW Eau Claire and later her
Superintendent’s license from UW Madison.
In 1955 the Milwaukee Public Schools came to Luther College looking for
teachers with a farm background as they new they would be strong
educators. So Marlene’s first teaching job took her to the north side of
Milwaukee where she taught first grade. She always said it was a learning
experience she enjoyed. In 1956 she was hired by the Eau Claire School
District. In 1958 she took the position of building principal and teacher at
the Pigeon Falls School in the Whitehall School District until 1969. Augusta
School District hired Marlene in 1969 as the high school Guidance
Counselor and later the Elementary Principal until 1975 at which time she
became the Curriculum Director/Assistant Superintendent at the Whitehall
School District. Marlene served as Superintendent at Whitehall (one of the
first females in the state of Wisconsin) until her retirement in 1991.
For three years following her retirement she managed the Congressional
Black River office for Congressman Steve Gunderson. Marlene also
volunteered her time at the Trempealeau County Court House as a
mediator, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Marlene served as Sunday School
Superintendent and also church president.
Marlene served as President of CESA 6 Elementary Principal’s
Organization, Chairman of the DPI Teacher Incentive Committee, the
Viterbo College Board of Advisors, Whitehall Public Library Board,
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Arrowhead Inservice League,
Member of the Governor’s Council State Business and Education
Partnerships, School Representative to PIC Council for Job Training
Partnership Act, member of the Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma
Society, Wisconsin Association of School Administrators, American
Association of School Administrators, Wisconsin Association of School
Curriculum Directors, committee member to develop First Year Teacher’s
Assistance Program, Advisor to the University of Wisconsin Extension
Youth Development 4-H programs, Administrative Representative for
School of Education Advisory Council-UW Eau Claire, member of
beginning Teacher’s Advisory State Council (DPI), member of Steve
Gunderson’s Advisory Committee, American Lutheran Church of Women,
and Peace Lutheran Church, Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin.
In 1985 Marlene was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from
Luther College, Honorary Home Economics Education Award, Wisconsin
Home Economics Elementary and Secondary Education.
Marlene and Arthur enjoyed their travels to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, the
contiguous United States, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean with
their family and dear friends Barb and Jerry Nelson. Social gatherings with
family and friends were at the heart of her interests along with nature, and
her horse and bird collections.
Marlene wanted to send a special thank you to the Augusta and Whitehall
teachers, secretaries, and custodial staff for their wonderful support and
friendship throughout the years.
We will miss our mom dearly. Her inspirational guidance, unending love,
fortitudinal strength, and spunk will never be forgotten. It is extremely
difficult to imagine life without her as she was so much apart of our lives.
You were the best. Miss you forever. We’ll love you always.
Marlene was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Blake Hanson, her
mother and father, brother David Watson and her dear friend Barbara
Nelson. Marlene is survived by her daughter Kimberly Sue (Denny), son
Alyn Blake (Raynelle) and her four precious grandchildren Jacob, Connor,
Mac, and Alyson. She is also survived by her sister Gloria (Watson) Berg,
Richard Watson, Ronnie Watson, and sister-in-law Kathleen Watson.
Marlene’s family expresses a warm and sincere thank you to Heritage and
St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care and all the friendship given
to our mom during her stay. You were truly a blessing.
Donations can be given in Marlene’s name to Peace Lutheran, Pigeon
Creek Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, or the Whitehall School District.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
in Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls with burial in the Pigeon Creek
Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery both in Pigeon Falls. Pastor Greg Ofsdahl
will officiate.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. in the Jack
Funeral Home in Whitehall.
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