STOUGHTON - Marlene Beth Knopf, age 65, of Stoughton, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. She was born on April 10, 1960, in Cherokee, Okla., the daughter of Marvin and Helen (Whitehead) Knopf.

Marlene grew up in Burlington, Okla., on a farm. She attended Burlington Public Schools and graduated from Burlington High School in 1978. She excelled on the Women’s High School Basketball and Tennis teams.

Marlene then went on to attend Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Okla., where she competed on the Women’s Basketball Team. Their basketball team won their division championship while she was on the team, and she was awarded what was humorously called her “Superbowl Ring!” She received an Associate Degree in mid-management.

Marlene worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Stoughton, Wis., for 27 years before retiring in September 2020. She was also an X-ray Specialist during Desert Storm as a part of the U.S. Army. She met and married her lifetime partner, Lori, in 1986.

Marlene had many interests, including hiking, golfing, skiing, sailing, wind surfing and traveling. She especially enjoyed visiting the beautiful National Parks and rooting for the UW-Madison Basketball Team and WNBA teams. She was devoted to her English Bulldogs, Boomer and Sophie.

We will always remember Marlene’s kind heart, beautiful smile, joyful laugh and boundless energy.

A special thanks to Katelynn (RN) and Erin (social worker) for their loving care, compassion and kindness to Marlene and Lori and their families.

Marlene is survived by her spouse, Lori Lanphere; mother-in-law, Mary Louise Lanphere; sister, Vickie (Allen) Schiffner, Rita (Jack) Baldwin, Ramona (Ted) Atchley and Rebecca (Kevin) Lingemann; brother, Floyd (Misti) Knopf; sisters-in-law, Lisa (Ken) VanDaalwyk and Luci (Henry) Kujellis; brother-in-law, Larry (Bonnie) Lanphere; and numerous loved nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Helen and Marvin.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The National Parks Foundation or Agrace Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson
(608) 873-4590

Marlene B. Knopf

April 10, 1960 - April 23, 2025

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