Obituary
Kimberly Jean Mahlum
Kimberly Jean Mahlum, Age 62, of Ettrick, WI, passed away peacefully on June 21st, 2023 at Gundersen Health in LaCrosse, in the weeks following an emergency heart surgery. She was born on November 1st, 1960 to Gerald and Geraldine Christensen, and spent her childhood in Humboldt, IA.
Kim graduated from Luther College and moved to LaCrosse, WI in 1983 to start her career in nursing. She married Glen Mahlum on April 17th, 1993 at French Creek Lutheran Church. Shortly after, they both began their life on the farm in Ettrick, WI.
Kim spent her entire life caring for others. She worked at Gundersen Lutheran as an RN for 20 years, spanning many areas, including pediatrics and family practice. She then shifted to the role of a school nurse, first at Onalaska school district for 8 years, and finally LaCrosse school district for 10 years. In 2022, Kim claimed to have “retired”, but knew her nursing journey wasn’t over just yet. She took on a part time nursing role at Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and loved every minute of it. Nursing wasn’t just her job; it was who she was as a person.
First and foremost in Kim’s life were her faith, family, and friends. She loved being by the water, whether it was relaxing by the ocean with a book in her hand, or watching a bobber at the lake. Kim was not shy by any means. She made new friends everywhere she went. She made lifelong friends through her various nursing positions, or Bible study groups. She was kind and compassionate and always tried to keep in touch with everyone.
Kim showed support to everyone in her life, including her children. She was always there for any school or life accomplishments and was very proud of all their achievements. Kim was quite the storyteller and could light up a room with laughter from tales of her past. If she wasn’t the one telling the story, there’s a good chance she was a main character in someone else’s story. Kim will be greatly missed, but never forgoten.
Kim is survived by her husband; Glen Mahlum, of 30 years, two kids; Brock (Lexi) Mahlum and McKenzie Mahlum, two sisters; Pam (ArMand) Nelson and Jenny (David) Boswell, and mother; Gerry Christensen, many nieces and nephews. Kim was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Christensen.
A Celebration of Life will be held at French Creek Lutheran Church.
Friday July 21st 4pm-7pm visitation
Saturday July 22nd 10am-11am visitation with 11am Funeral Service. Lunch will follow the service.
Pray for you all as you adjust to your loss. Love what you put together for obituary. She had a passion for serving others and her Lord.
YOU’RE ALL IN MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS. THANK YOU Lord, for blessing us with Kim.
You’re family is in our thoughts and prayers. Kim was one of a kind, and a great friend. I will miss her dearly.?
Our condolences to the entire family. Kim and Joye Baumgartner
Prayers and hugs to Kim’s family. The love and kindness of Kim shines through in her obituary. May all of our memories (and shenanigans!) of Kim, help heal our broken hearts and bring smiles that Kim would want. God bless!
I worked with Kim on peds at Gundersen. I was always glad to see her at the start of a shift because I knew it would be a good one.
When she moved into school nursing, she would stop by to check on her kids that were in the hospital. She was devoted, loving, kind, and so considerate. She will be missed by many people.
May your perfect soul, rest in perfect peace.
This just does not seem real. Glen, McKenzie, Brock, so very sorry for this great loss. She was one of a kind in loving others. It came so easily for her. There is no doubt that she is with Jesus. She will be with you cheering you on with the Lord by her side. Our deepest sympathies. Love John and Kathy Olson
I have no words for how I felt about Kim.
She was the first person to welcome me at Church, and we were fast friends. 23 years this month.
Living out of state made no difference. Texts, voicemails, and what I loved a lot was getting her handwritten letters. (her teeny weeny writing!) That is a lost art. US mail style!
My last birthday she sent me a handmade blanket. It is sensational. We had visions of her and McKenzie wrapping up in it and enjoying deck time on the water here in the Pacific Northwest.
I do believe Kim will always be with me in spirit, and certainly has a place in my heart. She taught me so much.
My condolences to the family and all her friends.
I loved working with Kim and I learned much from her while working in Pediatrics.Kim was an amazing friend and nurse.I loved her stories, and being in her stories!Rest in Peace Dear Kim♥️
This is Anya, Sheila Lentz-Krahn’s daughter. I know that Kim was a dear friend to my mom and I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is with you in this time of mourning.
So sad to hear this news. Praying for your family as you make your way through this transition. Kim was a wonderful friend and nurse, mom and wife. She will be missed…
Our deepest sympathies upon Kim’s passing. Thank you for sharing a picture of her with that sweet smile that even her eyes twinkled.
Will keep you all in our prayers as you continue in this different phase if your lives. God’s peace be with you.??
Anne & Mark Hein
I only worked with Kim in LaCrosse for less than a year. She was amazing! Her caring and concern for students was unparalleled. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
This captures everything I would have said about Kim. When I think of her, I think of positive energy, a great smile, and kindness. Glen, Brock, McKenzie, and family, you have my deepest sympathy.
It’s really difficult to find the right words to say. I’m shocked and saddened by her loss. I worked with Kim at Onalaska School District and La Crosse School District. She was always the one that brought everyone together to reconnect. Kim always had a smile on her face. She was friends with everyone she met. She was one of a kind. Kim was an incredible story teller! Oh my gosh I still quote some of the things she said. She loved her family so much and was so proud of Makenzie and Brock. I loved getting frequent updates on what was happening in their lives. Heaven gained a true angel but she will be incredibly missed here on earth.
So sorry to hear of Kim’s passing. I worked with her in La Crosse School District. She even helped my son when he dislocated his shoulder. She was a wonderful person! Sending prayers and thoughts to her family and friends.
So surprised by this announcement! Everyone loved Kim. I worked with her early in her career on a surgical floor at Gundersen Hospital and we and a group of us workers shared many outings. I especially remember the time when we finished the night shift and went to the New Villa for breakfast together. She will be missed by all that ever had any contact with her due to her infectious personality!
May the Lord carry your family through this time. Kim was a wonderful person and nurse. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing praises to the Lord. She will be missed by all. You have our deepest sympathy.
Linda and Todd Trautmann
Kim was a wonderful person and a great school nurse for our son Ben at Central. She was always so friendly and helpful. Prayers to all that loved her. May your cherished memories you comfort and peace. Pam, Todd and Ben Strittmater
I have known KIM for 40 years. She truly will always be one of a kind. Her smile and twinkle in her eye was contagious. She was genuine, kind, hard worker, always always provided the best for all she knew and cared for. She will always have a place in my heart. Heaven definitely gained an angel. My love to Kim’s entire family. She will live within you forever.
Our Sympathies to you Glen, Brock, Mackenzie and family Kim was a great person, inside & out!
Stawarz Family
So sorry to hear about the lose of your sister. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kim was always a special friend. I wish I had spent more time with her. She supported us all in our efforts and work. I loved that she was a part of our Peds/4west group. And I loved her. I actually had a note on my to do list ‘Call Kim’. A list of things to do but alas too late. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, I know you will miss Kim being there in your life. But she will be with you always. Patty Bruger
I had the privilege to get to know Kim during the summer school program at Logan high school. She was the on-call nurse and would stop in to make sure everything was running smoothly and that our kids were safe and healthy always with a smile on her face and always wanting to know that things were going well. So sad to hear this. My condolences to all.
I am so very sorry to hear this. Thanks Pam for posting to Luther College class of 1983. Kim was a good and kind friend for many years. I wish I could be there on the 22nd. Prayers for you all as you cope with this loss. Corine (Derscheid) Carlson
So heartbreaking to hear this news. Kim was and is a big part of my best memories from Luther and especially from our nursing program. Kim shared her beautiful voice at our wedding almost 40 years ago! Grateful that we reconnected on Facebook in recent years. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to her family. -Louise (Trettin) and Todd Seibert