Marjorie Hanson
Marjorie “Margie” Jean (Brenteson) Hanson, 83, died early Wednesday morning, Oct. 25, 2023, at Billings Clinic.
She was born in Plentywood on March 10, 1940, to parents Clifford “Buster” and Erma (Boe) Brenteson. Growing up on the farm near Coalridge, she quickly developed the strength, optimism and confident, can-do spirit that characterized her throughout her life. She was a natural leader whose energy and generosity spilled over to those around her.
Growing up on the farm as the middle child of three (older sister Edith and younger sister Carol), she spent many days following her dad around learning how to “figure things out.” The Brenteson girls were inseparable, playing on the farm together, sleeping in the same small bed and attending dances in Westby.
That’s where Margie met her lifelong partner, Ogden “Oggie” Hanson. She graduated from Plentywood High School in the spring of 1958 and was married shortly afterward on June 5 to Oggie who was serving in the U.S. Army at the time.
She and her new husband relocated to Indiana while he completed his training with the finance corps before deploying to Germany. She followed him in the winter of 1958, arriving in Germany on Christmas Eve 1958. The two spent the next 24 months living in Germany and traveling throughout western Europe before returning stateside in 1960, moving to Great Falls.
They started their family in 1963. John was first, then James in 1965, Jadee and Jeffrey in 1970 and finally Jason in 1973. They moved from Great Falls to Medicine Lake in 1970 to Minot, N.D., in 1979 and then to Conrad in 1981 where they lived for 15 years, finally moving to Billings in 1996.
In addition to raising five children, she was an entrepreneur, starting Margie’s Framing in 1985 and soon becoming the most sought-after picture framer throughout the Hi-Line. She loved to design, decorate and create; she was always working on a new project. She painted her houses inside and out, refinished tables, re-upholstered furniture and was the interior designer for her and Oggie’s many houses (three different houses in Conrad alone!). Following in her dad’s footsteps, she was the family electrician, plumber and chief problem-solver.
Her children describe her as patient, understanding, strong and selfless. She encouraged her children, supporting them when they failed and celebrating their successes. Family meant everything to her. She made everyone feel better who came in contact with her; she never said an unkind word about anyone.
She is survived by her husband, Oggie; children, John Hanson, James (Hanson, Jadee Hanson, Jeffrey Hanson and Jason Hanson; eight; nine great-grandchildren; and sisters, Edith Ritland and Carol Hurst.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. at the Medicine Lake Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the Medicine Lake Cemetery.
