Alice Christenson

Alice Christenson lived an active full life.  She was an extremely talented woman, who was an expert seamstress, made beautiful crafts, porcelain dolls and even stained glass works.  Her family meant the world to her especially during those special holidays, Christmas and Easter.  Whether it was dancing to Polkas, whistling or humming the old “Spirituals”, Alice will be remember for her love of music.

She was born September 26, 1927 in the town of Hamburg to the late Carl and Hedwig (Zastrow) Bartelt.  Alice married Walter Roesler on October 25, 1947 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, town of Hamburg.  Together they dairy farmed while raising their children, Marlene, Sharon, David and Mark.    Alice took care of her family by making the kid’s clothes, cooking, baking and canning from their large vegetable garden.  She taught her children well through her lifelong experiences and common sense.  After retiring from the farm in 1969, the family moved to Wausau with Alice working for her sister, Carolyn at Bridal and Formal Salon.  On July 8, 1976, Walter passed away and ten years later, Alice met Clifford Christenson at a Polka dance.  They married in June of 1986 at Trinity Lutheran Church and lived between Wausau and Mesa, AZ.  Clifford passed away on July 9, 2016.

At the age of 90, Alice passed away at Azura Memory Care on Thursday, November 2, 2017 surrounded by her family.

Survivors include her children, Marlene (Nelson) Leatherwood of Scottsdale, AZ, Sharon (Russ) Long of Phillips, David (Ceeda) Roesler of Mosinee, Mark Roesler of Minneapolis, four stepchildren, Mary (Don) Leemhuis of Tuscaloosa, AL, David (Barb) Christenson of Mitchell, SD, Michael Christenson of Tucson, AZ and Lori (Kurt Vetter) Rahlf of Green Bay, twelve grandchildren, Rachel Gable, Alison (Dru) Dethlefs, Stacey (Aaron) Pinski, Luke (Brooke) Blaschka, Elijah Roesler, Corey Leemhuis, Lee Christenson, Lars (Rhonda) Christenson, Bradley Wellington, Jon Becker, Garrett Gantz, Erich Rahlf and twelve great grandchildren, Arianna Erdmann, Cole and Chase Gable, Audrey and Zachary Pinski, Alec Blaschka, Teya and Kylee Leemhuis, Chelsea and Mahayla Foos, Alexis and Kayden Christenson.

Alice was further preceded in death by her siblings, Leo, Rose, Laura, Arthur, Theodore, Charles, Doris, and Carolyn.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau.  Reverend Zach Holdorf will officiate.  Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, town of Hamburg.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St. Wausau and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.  You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Azura for the wonderful care given to Alice and our family during her stay.

Memorial donations may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or School.