Susan Joan Christenson, 81, of Onalaska passed away on January 2, 2026, at Eagle Crest Memory Care in Onalaska.

Sue was a wonderful friend and neighbor, a fun bingo buddy, a fantastic cookie baker, a loving and always present hockey Mom and Grandma, an amazing seamstress, a devoted wife that made our house a home, and so, so much more. She worked at the telephone company before becoming a stay-at-home Mom, and when her son, Rick, was grown would run the concession stand at the Green Island Ice Arena where he worked. Sue would work at the Company Store on French Island in semi-retirement and then had her most important job ever- helping to raise her Granddaughters, Allison and Paige. She was so many things to so many people- but to her family she was everything. Any time you needed work done around your house, Sue would be there to help. Need toilet paper from Sam’s Club? She was on it. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies would just magically show up like there was a continuous supply- because Sue took care of everyone she loved. She must have baked well over 1000 batches of cookies in her life, and each batch was amazing. Most of her family’s clothing was lovingly made by Sue, as well as countless quilts, pajamas and pillowcases. When her Granddaughter Alli was obsessed with Little House on the Prairie one summer, an entire wardrobe of prairie dresses was just whipped up by Grandma Sue. When little Paige wouldn’t take off her stocking caps at age 8, Grandma just relented and made more hats. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t sew. Sue and her girlfriends made hundreds of special pillowcases for the children hospitalized at Gundersen over the years. And everyone she knows has at least one pair of beloved custom Susie pajamas.

Sue’s family was as important to her as she was to them. Her son and grandchildren were the light of her life. She never missed a school play, hockey game, or even the terrible 6 th grade band concerts that hurt your ears. She was always there consistently and reliably with a big smile and a hug to show how proud she was. In the past year, Sue would delight in seeing her great grandson Archer when he came to visit. She always loved little children and would smile so big when they were around.

Sue taught us all what it is like to be a part of a community- you just show up to help. She was present and involved all the time and there wasn’t a task she wouldn’t tackle. If someone told her a less fortunate family didn’t have much for Christmas, give her their

clothing sizes and the entire family would have new pajamas whipped up by sundown. If she knew of somewhere that needed volunteers, she was there to lend a hand. If a friend or family member needed help, she was the first to show up.

As a wife and Mom, she always made sure we had what we needed- whether it was clothes or food or love- that woman could stretch a meal out of a can of beans and make it delicious. Her mac salad and Jello salad were legendary. As a sister and daughter, she cared for her younger siblings like they were her own kids to help her mother. She loved them so very much. Her younger sister Kris and husband Randy were her very best pals, and helped so much when dementia set in. They were the calm in the storm of dementia and helped care for her with such tender compassion and love. We couldn’t be more grateful for the love they gave her. Dad was able to care for Mom at home for 6 years after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, thanks to Kris and Randy’s help.

Sue spent her whole life living in La Crosse and later Onalaska. Born to Gertrude (Tudy Gautschz) and Bubby (Clarence) Herlitzka, Sue had 8 siblings: Ann Jamesson, Bud Herlitzka, Dan (Reny) Herlitzka, Rich (Carol) Herlitzka, Peter (Sherry) Herlitzka, Tim Herlitzka, Joe (Tina) Herlitzka, Jim Herlitzka, Jean (Mike) La Fluer, and Kris (Randy) Liebl. She married Gary Christenson in 1966, and they had one son, Rick (Kari) Christenson, two granddaughters Alli (Nate) Christenson and Paige (Jake) Christenson, and one great grandson Archer Christenson-Shurtleff. Sue has more nieces and nephews than we could list here, and the list of friends that loved her would go on for miles. She loved every one of them.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers Tim, Dan, and Bud, as well as her in-laws Chet and Beulah Christenson, and sister-in-law Jan Neumann.

Our family would like to thank the staff of St. Croix Hospice, specifically Heidi and Grace for their weekly visits and compassion, as well as the staff at Eagle Crest North – Memory Care for the loving care of Sue during her final year of life. Olivia, Melissa, Emily, Reghan, Sherrie, Anita, Breanna and the rest of the staff gave us tremendous peace of mind that when we weren’t there with her Mom was well cared for. We couldn’t have done it without them as Alzheimer’s robbed us of our wife, mom, grandma, sister and friend. Most importantly, all these folks helped us make sure Sue feel safe and loved by everyone around her until she passed.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Friday, January 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a luncheon at 1:00 p.m. at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street, Onalaska, WI.

Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family during this time.