Maurene Christensen

Maurene Christensen, age 95, passed away at Evergreen Retirement Community on Thursday, January 2, 2025. She was born in Oshkosh, October 28, 1929, the daughter of Albert and Helen Volp. She graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1947, and attended Madison Business College, Madison WI. On August 26, 1949, she married her High School sweetheart, Earl Christensen Jr., and they were blessed with two children, Jeffrey and Susan. Earl and Maurene were very fortunate to share more than 72 years of marriage. He passed away 10/27/2021.

 She began her nearly 40-year career as a legal secretary in March , 1948 with the firm of what was then Keefe, Patri, Stillman & Nolan, and remained with that firm through various name changes, retiring 12/31/1987.

 Maurene dearly loved traveling, and was never happier than when planning their next adventure! They traveled in all U.S. states, and all but two of the Canadian Provinces. Hawaii and Alaska were favorite destinations, and they made numerous trips there for extended stays. Another travel preference was river cruising. Particularly special to them were the 19 trips on the River Explorer Passenger Barge, plus cruising on paddle-wheelers and other small cruise ships (all on many, many rivers across the country). They always loved the shore trips to the interesting little river towns along the way. Planes, trains, automobile and motor coach trips, they enjoyed doing them all! Overseas travel included Australia and New Zealand (twice), Ireland, the Scandinavian countries, middle Europe, Fiji and French Polynesia (the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora).

 She was very active in the National Association of Legal Secretaries, on local, state and national levels. Locally, she was twice President of that chapter, served as Wisconsin State President, and on the National level, was National Director and Treasurer (two terms). In addition, she chaired and was active in numerous committees on all levels. In 1975, she had the honor of being chosen as National Legal Secretary of the Year at the annual National convention in Portland, Oregon. 

 She was a 1997 Charter member of the Learning in Retirement organization (affiliated with UW Oshkosh), which provides excellent programs at various venues each semester. It was a real plus to have many of these programs taking place at Evergreen Retirement Community. Continuing to learn and experience new things was also a large part of their travels, and she and Earl participated in 37 Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) programs throughout the U.S. Later, when Earl could not do so, her daughter Susan accompanied her to various programs. Maurene loved attending these events as long as she was able.

 Maurene was an avid reader, and also enjoyed working crossword and other word puzzles. In earlier years, she participated in golf, bowling and bike riding. She and Earl were fascinated by lighthouses, and many of their travels were either centered around or included visiting these most interesting structures. She estimated they must have climbed or viewed more than 125 lights! She also was a “Waterfall Nut”, and more than once, seeking out a particular waterfall led to rutted dirt roads or a dead end, but they usually found the one they were looking for!

 For the past four years, Maurene was a member of the “Eye on Evergreen” committee. It is a bi-monthly newsletter, and she thoroughly enjoyed writing poems and articles for each issue.

 She is survived by son Jeffrey (Sharlene) Christensen, Oshkosh; daughter Susan Harnois, Washburn IA; Grandchildren: Kimberly (Anne Erickson) Christensen, Minneapolis MN; Kyle (Kelli) Christensen, Lawrence KS; David (Kristy) Harnois, Waterloo IA; and Andrew (Nicole) Harnois, Cedar Falls IA. There are five Great-Grandchildren: Eisley, Wren, August and Archer Harnois, and Violet Christensen. She is also survived by sister-in-law Joanne Hady, Iron Mountain MI, and niece Desire’ Christensen, Oshkosh. She was preceded in death by her husband Earl, her parents, father and mother-in-law Earl Sr. And Lillian Christensen, and brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Ann Christensen and brother-in-law Patrick Hady.

 At Maurene’s request, there will be no funeral service. Memorials may be sent to Evergreen Foundation—Employee Appreciation Fund, Oshkosh Public Library, or Friends of Wisconsin Public television.

 The family wishes to thank Evergreen Retirement Community for providing the wonderful independent living lifestyle that Maurene loved and participated in these past seven years. There are no words to describe the outstanding and caring staff, who always go above and beyond for the residents! They love what they do, and that is evident each and every day!