Marjean G. Riisager

Marjean Gail (Brenstein) Riisager, 87, of La Crosse, passed away on June 2, 2025 at Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa.

Marjean was born on November 17, 1937 in La Crosse the daughter of George and Marjorie (Witzke) Brenstein.

Marjean graduated from Logan High School in 1955. She then earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from UW La Crosse. Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position in Beloit, Wisconsin.

In 1961 she met Carl Riisager, an army sergeant, on the Chicago train. They married in La Crosse on December 30th of that year before being stationed in Germany. They had four children, Russ, Carol, Robert and Michael.

Marjean was a devoted daughter, wife and mother. She left full-time teaching to be a mother but continued to be a substitute teacher. The family moved to Texas where Carl and Marjean eventually divorced. After the divorce, the Riisager family continued to embrace her as their own. When the children were grown, she returned to La Crosse to spend more time with her parents and began a job she loved at Mr. D’s. She retired from there before it closed.

Marjean was a member of Olivet Lutheran Church on French Island until she left La Crosse in 2021 to be near her daughter in Dubuque, Iowa. In Dubuque, she eventually needed long term care and became a resident of Hawkeye Care Center where she was very happy and loved by the staff.

Marjean was always one to put others before herself. When she did have time for herself, she spent it reading the La Crosse Tribune from cover to cover and doing crossword puzzles. At Hawkeye, she enjoyed her bingo games, music programs and trivia games. When she passed, many residents commented on how sharp her memory was and how much they enjoyed their time with her.

Marjean is survived by her brother, Jim (Nancy) Brenstein of West Salem, a brother-in-law Ronald (Donna) Riisager of Elk River, MN, a brother-in-law Gary (Jo) Riisager of Foreston, MN and a brother-in-law Chris (Gail) Riisager of Gable, SC. She is also survived by her son Russ (Teri) Riisager of Burleson, TX, her daughter Carol (Jim) Cross of Dubuque, IA, her son Robert Riisager of Dubuque, IA, and her son Michael Riisager of Springtown, TX. Marjean had nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband, father and mother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and a niece.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the staff at Hawkeye Care Center and Finley Hospital for the excellent care Marjean received.

A visitation will be held from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse. Burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse.

Memorial donations in Marjean’s memory may be directed to UW La Crosse.