Janet A Bunde Christensen

Grew up in Wauwatosa, WI. Education Level – High School, 11th grade.

Married to Harold E. (Harry) Christensen, June 24, 1950 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa.

A dedicated, loving mother of 3 children: Frances (Fran) Jennaro, Rev. James (Jim) O’Reilly-Christensen, & Laura (Laurie) Christensen.

Janet became a widow at age 36, when her husband Harry (the love of her life), married 16 years, died at age 40 of complications from scleroderma.

Janet worked in a flower shop, as a church custodian, and her major work experience was as a housekeeper at (then) Lakeview Hospital, for 15 + years. She felt a great sense of accomplishment when her boss assigned her the task of training new workers in the housekeeping dept.

A strong believer in the Christian Faith as a Lutheran, Janet was heavily involved in the life of the church, first at Epiphany (now All People’s Church) & then at Nativity Lutheran in Wauwatosa. Janet was involved in Bible study, a youth leader, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, & regularly attended worship.

At home she enjoyed caring for her dogs, gardening, visiting with people, joined a bowling league for many years, & liked listening to Milwaukee Brewers baseball on the radio.

After she could not live on her own any longer, the last 6 years of her life, Janet was a resident of the Lutheran Home, at 75th & North Avenue in Milwaukee. There she participated in the Red Hat ladies, attended worship, Bible Study, sang in the resident choir, did art projects, and enjoyed helping welcome new people to the Lutheran home. Janet was a lively participant, until she could no longer take part in regular activities due to dementia setting in and her weakening physical condition. Janet died peacefully at the Lutheran Home at age 82 on January 3, 2014, less than 1 week after she shared in a pleasant last family visit with her children & grandchildren. She said, fittingly of herself in a Lutheran Home profile: “I get along with everyone.”

Janet was preceded in death by a young sister Frances; her parents Ervin & Minnie Bunde; and her husband Harold in 1967. Janet is survived by her 3 children: Fran Jennaro, Jim (Debbi) O’Reilly-Christensen, & Laurie Christensen. Also grandchildren Ryan (Emily) Jennaro, Katy Jennaro, Mackenzie O’Reilly-Christensen, Jackie Egan, Kassidy Egan, & 2 great-grandchildren – Jacob Nixt & Connor Jennaro. 2 brothers – Ernst & Jack Bunde, & 1 sister, Shirley Ives. Along with other relatives & many friends, especially those from Nativity Lutheran Church. May God bless her memory, & her spirit among us all!

A Visitation will be held Saturday January 18 at the Lutheran Home from 10AM until time of a Memorial Service at 11 AM.