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

She married Alvin A. Classen on June 18, 1966, in West Liberty. 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, Missouri, 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, Alabama.

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 Alateen.

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) Lundeen; 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 Devon and Sara, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alvin, son Christopher Classen, stepfather 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 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.

The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Messiah Lutheran Church. Pastor DaMisha McFarland Pollock will officiate.

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

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Mississippi Valley Publishing on Aug. 23, 2025.

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Memorial Events
for Marjorie Classen

Aug

27

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Lunning Funeral Chapel

2620 Mt. Pleasant St., Burlington, IA 52601

Aug

28

Service

10:30 a.m.

Messiah Lutheran Church

2411 West Avenue, Burlington, IA 52601

Funeral services provided by:

Lunning Funeral Chapel

2620 Mount Pleasant St, Burlington, IA 52601

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