Obituary: Janice Christensen

Janice Christensen, 84, of Wayside, passed away peacefully at Unity Hospice in De Pere on March 31, 2023. Janice was born on January 2, 1939, in the Town of Harrison (Waupaca County) to Norrin and Olga (Timdal) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed at Northland Lutheran Church. She attended Iola High School and graduated Salutatorian of her class in 1956.

On July 28, 1956, she was united in marriage to Donald Christensen at Northland Church. They went to Memphis so Don could attend school and eventually moved to Wayside in 1963. They were married for 63 years upon Don’s passing in 2020.

Janice took pride in her job as town clerk of the Town of Morrison for 38 years, retiring in 2005. She also served southern Brown County on the Brown County Board of Supervisors for many years. She was a fierce supporter of the county library’s Bookmobile, ensuring that children in the rural areas of the county had access to books.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church Wayside, participating in the Ladies Aide and helping with many church functions. She was strong in her faith and attended church every Sunday.

Most importantly, she was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. While she worked as the town clerk, she was able to have her office in her home and continue to be a stay-at-home mom, making delicious food and desserts for her family and anyone who happened to visit. She will be most remembered for her homemade brownies!

Janice is survived by her children: Tia (Greg) Carlson, Greenleaf; Todd (Tammy) Christensen, Greenleaf; Paul (Jill) Christensen, Grafton; and Dana (Jason) Zarling, Madison. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Troy (Molly) Carlson, Andrew Carlson, Abigail (MIke) Stanislawski, Sara (Craig) Demler, Natalie Christensen, Steve (Asti) Christensen, Renee (Kaitlyn) Christensen, and Owen Zarling. She is further survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Arabella, Katherine, Isaac, Wlliam, Cora, Iola, Benjamin, Allison, Addison and Kolby. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law Betty Kropilnicki and Dorothy Inderdahl and Janice’s best friend of over 70 years, Kathy Bestul.

Preceded in death by her husband Donald; infant daughter Carrie Lynn; sister Arlene Jardine; brothers-in-law James Jardine, Frank Kropilnicki, Robert Christensen, and Howard Inderdahl and sister-in-law Clarice Christensen.

Visitation will begin at Zion Lutheran Church, Wayside, 8378 County Rd W, Greenleaf, WI at 9:00AM Saturday, April 8, 2023, until the time of service at 11:00AM with Pastor Kyle Wangelin officiating. Nickel Funeral Home, Morrison, is assisting the family.

Special thanks to Wayside Parkview Estates and Unity hospice for their compassionate care and Pastor Kyle for his visits to Janice.