Irene Vivian Lofberg Christiansen passed away peacefully on October 11, 2023, at the age of 98, at Willow Ridge Healthcare in Amery, WI. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Helen and Olaf Lofberg; three sisters Martha (Foss), Laverne (Constant) and Ruth (Jeffery); husband Robert William Christiansen (2004), as well as four children Linda Louise (1952), Thomas Robert (1961), Susan Marie (Rusch) (1999) and Robert Thomas (2021).

Irene was born at Deacon’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN on September 15, 1925, to Olaf and Helen Lofberg. Martha was the oldest of the girls, followed by LaVerne, Ruth and Irene. Irene attended Longfellow elementary school in South Minneapolis. Miss Franson was her favorite teacher. Irene took tap dancing lessons and enjoyed singing. Irene graduated from South High School. Her favorite classes were science and art. After high school, Irene was a house worker cleaning homes, washing and ironing clothes and later worked as a telephone operator in Minneapolis, MN. She married Robert Wiilliam Christiansen in 1944 after he was discharged from the Navy, he began working for 3M. Irene and Robert started their family in St Croix Beach, MN, then settled outside of Hudson, WI on a hobby farm and raised their family until mid-1975, when they moved their three youngest children to a dairy farm outside of Clayton, WI with daughter Karen and her husband. Robert and Irene later settled in Amery, WI in 1989.

Robert and Irene took their kids and later grandkids on Wilderness camping trips. Irene loved Ely and the Boundary Waters. They (with children) took annual vacation camping trips to Nels Lake, Slim Lake, Echo Lake and Lake Jeanette, as well as Flambeau Flowage, Jones Road in Canada and Herbster, WI (where she loved participating in the Apple Festival, Blueberry Festival, Fish Boils with friends and family). When canoeing, she always paddled the canoe straight and true. She was a determined collector of driftwood, which she later fashioned into her gardens or art. Irene always loved a good campfire and wiener roast anywhere she could join in!

Irene shared her love and expertise with collecting/selling antiques with her children, she and Robert took many of them to antiques shows in the metro area.
Irene loved music and sang and shared music with her kids growing up. Some of her favorites were Oklahoma, Sound of Music, the Music Man, Mitch Miller, Benny Goodman and Tom Jones. She was a Tom Jones Superfan and attended two concerts with her daughter Diane in 1969 & again in 1970. She also enjoyed John Wayne movies and most anything on Channel 2.

After Robert passed away in 2004, Irene moved into the high rise behind the old bank. Irene enjoyed lunch and garage sales with family and friends and frequently walked downtown, had coffee and ice cream at Ellie’s, and frequented the “boutique down the street" often (Worn-Again). Irene always dressed very stylishly, and she made any hat look fabulous!

Irene was a writer, poet, artist and active community member. She was a dedicated homemaker, lovingly making amazing meals of all cuisines and was a bread baker extraordinaire, making her own sour dough starter. She was active in Polk County Homemakers for many years (including serving as Secretary) and working at the food booth for several years at the Amery Fall Festival. Prior to that she was an active member of Clayton Band Boosters. Irene took writing classes at Northern Lakes Center for the Arts and was a member of the Northern Lakes Writer’s group. She was published many times in their bi-annual writer’s book. She and the other members would read their works on the local radio station in Amery. She later acted in a play. She was an avid reader, wonderful conversationist with a command of many topics, staunch movie buff and loved staying up to date on current events. Irene attended painting classes and supported art openings at ArtZ until she was in her 90’s.

Irene moved from the High Rise in Amery to River Bend Assisted Living Facility. After living there for two years, Irene moved to Sophie’s Manor for a year (during COVID which was challenging for her). Irene has been at Willow Ridge HealthCare for two years in October of 2023. Irene was always an example of strength and resilience and achieving your full potential to family and friends.

Irene is survived by 7 children, 23 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 7 nephews and nieces and so very many good friends:

Susan Rusch, the oldest child of Robert and Irene, passed away in 1999. She was artistic and talented in ceramics and worked for Red Wing Pottery. Susan had two children: Tony lives in Hudson with Laura. They have five children: Ana, Tyler, Avery, Emily, Sarah. Amy Rusch-Mack and Andy Mack live on Lake Nebagamon, WI. They have two children: Daisy lives in Appleton and Leo lives in Montana.

Gerry and Becky Christiansen live in the Hudson area. Gerry has been interested in poetry and painting. They have two children: Tom lives in the New Richmond area and has one daughter Jaydn. Tricia is married to Christopher Mick and lives in the Hudson area. They have two children: Tyler - graduated from college. Teddy - is in high school.

William and Becky Christiansen live in Washington State. Bill has enjoyed painting and has two children who live in Europe. Emanuel is married to Nela. Niko has two children. Becky has two children.

Karen and Dan Foust live in Turtle Lake. They have three children: Christian Foust and Jen live in Stoughton, WI. Yolanda and Chris Mara live in Nashville. They have two kids that are high school age. Max and Madeline. BK Foust married Julie Dauer and lives in Gulf Port, Mississippi.

Diane and Doc Watson live in Amery. Diane has inherited her mother’s interest in painting. Diane and Doc have four kids: Trevor lives in the Twin Cities. He has a foster daughter: Reign. Brandon and Melanie live in Blaine, MN. They have two children: Jordy & Josie. Tyler lives in Maine and lost his wife. He has one daughter- Julia. Lindsay lives in Minneapolis and lost her husband.

Therese Christiansen Sampson married Paul Christensen, after she lost her husband Mike in 1994. They live in St. Croix Falls, WI. Therese has one child: John lives in St. Croix Falls. Paul Christensen has four children Tim (and Melissa) live in E. Bethel, MN. Ben (and Callie) have four children and live in Braham, MN; Joanna (and Chase Pust) have three children and live in Cambridge, MN; Daniel and Rochelle have one child and live in Minneapolis, MN.

Robert (Bob) Christiansen married Donna Mumm. Bob passed away in 2021 shortly after a cancer diagnosis. Bob enjoyed cabinet making and carpentry. Bob had two children: Sean (and Chris) live in Barron, WI; Maggie Christiansen and Collin Kuhn live in Clear Lake, WI. Donna Mumm lives in Amery WI, and has three adult children: Sophia, Pauline & Iris.

John Christiansen and Terri Frank live outside of Amery, WI. John has four children: Jazmine is engaged to Dylan Matter and they live in Amery, WI. Jake lives in Elk Mound, WI, Cooper married Hannah and lives in New Richmond, WI, with son Cooper. Jared lives in Clear Lake, WI with son Knox.
Patrick and Shelly Christiansen live in Hudson, WI. They have three kids, all of which inherited elements of their Grandma Irene’s artistic ways… Alec (and Morgan) live in Baldwin, WI. Kylee lives in Minneapolis, MN and Erin lives in Seattle, WA.

Nephews and Nieces: Roger Foss, John Foss, Larry Foss and Janice Foss; Tom Constant; Brian Jeffrey and Joyce Jeffrey.

Good friends, too many to list! (you know who you are)!!!

Instead of flowers, please make donations to Adoray Home Health & Hospice, (715-629-1888, https://adoray.org/)

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, WI on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Last Update: Oct 12, 2023 6:56 pm CDT