MARGARET H. KRISTOFFERSEN

FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE PRIVATE Margaret Olsen Kristoffersen October 26th 1931 – October 7th, 2024 Margaret Olsen Kristoffersen entered into eternal rest on October 7, 2024. She was 92 years old. Born as Margoth Helene Olsen on October 26, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY, Marge was a people person from a very young age. She overcame a childhood stutter, and blossomed into the social butterfly she is best remembered as being. Her youth was filled with athletic pursuits and artistic endeavors. She participated in handball, volleyball and bowling, and was selected to create the banner for her graduating class in high school. In fact she was singled out to attend Pratt Institute of Art, but declined because her greatest desire was to get married and raise a family. Marge met her future husband and fellow Norwegian, Haakon “Kris” Kristoffersen, in Brooklyn, and they were married on March 24, 1951. Following their nuptials, Marge worked as a page for Chase Manhattan Bank, but her tenure was short-lived because she was let go when her bosses discovered she was pregnant. If it affected her, she did not let it show. Instead, she devoted herself to motherhood. After moving to Denville, Marge found her footing as a Girl Scout Leader and the co-chair of the PTA. She sewed clothing, and clipped hair. Little did she know that casually cutting hair for her family and neighbors would lead her on a path to a career. Marge went to Joseph Paterno Beauty School and eventually taught at Wilfred Academy of Hair & Beauty Culture, where she was promoted to manager and finally district manager. She was responsible for all the Wilfred Academies in the state of NJ and travelled frequently to oversee all of them. Her career provided her with a creative outlet and an enduring sense of community. After her retirement and well into her later years Marge could be found at the center of the action planning and organizing countless activities for the Denville seniors. Margaret is reunited in eternity with Kris, her loving husband of 62 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Olav Olsen and Maren Holm Olsen, and her sister, Sylvia (Richard) Olsen. The most fulfilling job that she held was as a mother to her three children, Debra (Michael) Cooper, Janice (Richard) Fisch and Gary (Sheryl) Kristoffersen. And while she had many roles in her life, her favorite was as a grandma to her six grandsons: Christopher (Maria) Cooper; Larsen (Miguelle) & Spencer (Rachel) Fisch; Erik, Colton & Jonathan (Julissa) Kristoffersen, and one granddaughter, Amanda (Nikola) Janjic. Above all else, her most rewarding role was that of Beste Mor to her three great-grandsons: William & Alexander Cooper, and Sava Janjic. She leaves many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, all of whom were showered in her love. Marge had the unique gift of making strangers into friends no matter how brief their interaction. To know her was to love her, and her life was overly abundant in love. She had a kind word, a beaming smile and a humorous story for everyone she crossed paths with, and she is affectionately remembered as the life of the party. She would give you the shirt off her back or the mittens off her hands. After one conversation with Marge you felt like you had known her your entire life, and it is a testament to her spirit that she so deeply impacted so many by just being herself. We encourage everyone who was lucky enough to know Marge to share a story or remembrance to help keep her memory alive. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in her memory.

MARGARET H. KRISTOFFERSEN

October 26, 1931 - October 7, 2024