The area sports scene suffered a major loss over the weekend, following the passing of one of the region’s Title IX pioneers.
Marion Bunge was a longtime PE/Health teacher at Mt. Lake Public School and is credited with helping the school fully implement Title IX with the start of girls basketball, volleyball and gymnastics programs, which she coached. Track and field, cross country and softball all began shortly afterward at MLHS.
She began the programs at the same times as the girls sports programs her twin sister, Hildegarde, began at Windom, where Hildegarde also was a PE/Health teacher.
Marion Bunge was one of the first people inducted into the Mt. Lake High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
In retirement, the Bunge twins frequently attended volleyball and girls basketball games, particularly when Mt. Lake or Windom was playing Martin County West. The twins lived together in Welcome.
Marion Bunge passed away Saturday in Fairmont at the age of 95.
