Virginia Juanita (Smith) Christenson, age 92, of Onalaska, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home on June 26, 2020 surrounded by her family.

Virginia was born on August 22, 1927 in Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Wisconsin to Jacob Duane Smith and Floy Emma (Withers) Smith. Virginia married Roger Marshall Christenson on September 20, 1947.

She attended Redgranite High School (class of 1945). After high school, Virginia joined the U.S. Army during WWII. After the war ended, she attended Appleton College of Nursing. And later worked in the Alexandria Civil War Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.

They had 4 children: Deborah C. (Yancey) Brown of East Dublin, Georgia, Randall (Patricia) Christenson of West Salem, Wisconsin, Jefferey (Regina) Christenson of Lewisville, Texas, Pamela Christenson of Onalaska; 5 grandchildren: Christopher (Samuel) Walker-Brown, Melissa C. Dahlvig, Jason Christenson, Shawn (Katarina) Christenson, and Juanita Christenson; 4 great-grandchildren: Hailey and Connor Dahlvig, Nya and Leila Christenson.

Virginia and Roger lived primarily on the South and East Coast of the US as Roger was a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy, before retiring and returning to Wisconsin.

Virginia was an active member of Onalaska Chapter 249 Eastern Star, serving as a Worthy Matron multiple times. She was Grand Ruth for the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin Eastern Star before Onalaska Chapter merged with La Crosse Chapter 23. She held numerous other positions and offices during her 48 years of membership. She was also a member of Golden Rule Shrine #21, White Shrine of Jerusalem of La Crosse, where she held the office of Worthy High Priestess multiple times as well as numerous other offices.

During her life, Virginia held and performed many civic duties such as Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader, Brownies and Girl Scout Leader and Assistant Leader. She was the National Cookie Chairman for Girl Scouts of America. The President for Welcome Wagon. She worked with the American Red Cross Blood Mobile. Held various positions with the PTA’s around the country, Oak Forest Auxiliary, American Heart Association, and many other organizations, too numerous to mention.

She was devoted to her family. She was an amazing cook, seamstress, and excellent role model. Her favorite hobbies included reading, sewing/crafting, singing, dancing.  In her later years she enjoyed playing with her grand and great grandchildren.  Virginia also had many pets throughout her life.  She loved her cats and a couple of dogs.  She also loved watching birds, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, and deer that would frequently come to her yard for treats that she would put out for them.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Roger, parents (Jacob and Floy), a brother (Armand Smith) , sister (Opal Smith Barclay), and grandson (Justin Dean Christenson)