Obituary of Irene Christophersen

Irene Joyce (Anderson) Christophersen was born April 28, 1931 in Zion, IL. Irene was born on a family dairy farm during the great depression. Like many of that greatest generation, she never outgrew the need to save, preserve everything, and grow her own gardens of food. Irene’s childhood was spent happily helping on the farm with 3 other siblings and listening to the Cubs on the radio with her Dad. When she was 5, she went to kindergarten and met Sydney, her life- long love, school chum, and dear husband for 67 ½ years. They were married April 7, 1951 during the Korean War. Irene followed Sydney up and down the eastern seaboard, and made many Navy bases her home until Syd was sent overseas for over one year. When he returned from service, Syd finished his college degree in engineering, and soon Irene welcomed a big surprise in twin girls she was not expecting in Dec of 1958. Vocationally, Irene drove a school bus for several years, keeping a tightly run transport. Then in 1977, Irene began working at the University of IL College of Medicine Family Clinic. She was soon promoted to business manager and gave nearly 24 years of service. She kept a detailed filing system at work as well as home, balancing her checkbook until just a few weeks before her last illness. Irene was a talented cook, baker, and very hospitable, gracious host. She welcomed countless friends and strangers into her longtime home in Rockton, IL. Probably hundreds of college students from Maranatha over a span of 40 years could always count on “Mrs. C” to feed them a smorgasbord for dinner, pie for dessert, and a quiet room to rest. Syd and Irene worked tirelessly in their gardens feeding and sharing thousands of tomatoes, apples, beans, strawberries, and vegetables. Irene faithfully served at her local church in Beloit, WI and is fondly remembered for teaching 4-5 years old kids for decades and influencing many lives for the Gospel. As a young girl, Irene understood that Ephesians 2:8-9 meant that she could be saved by grace with simple faith in Jesus Christ. This is a gift from God, and through no works of her own, Irene accepted Jesus as her Savior. It was this strength and assurance that bravely helped her face cancer treatments for 3 separate times as she battled aggressive lymphoma. Irene also was marked by complete devotion and endless love to her husband Syd, and in his declining years, she was never far from his side caring for him through several hardships. Irene died peacefully in her daughter’s home on October 3, 2020 after a recent diagnosis of a brain tumor at the age of 89 ½ years. She was lovingly cared for by her family, as well as Fairview Hospice, and many dear friends. Irene is survived by her sister Rachel Richardson, brother Donald Anderson, 3 daughters, Darene (Greg) Campbell, Debbie (Steve) Gee, and Diane Wiebe, 6 grandchildren and their spouses, 4 great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Those who preceded her in death include her parents, Milton Wesley Anderson and Leontine Federmeyer Anderson; husband Sydney; brother Wesley Anderson; daughter Denise Kae; son-in-law Keith Wiebe; and infant twin Wiebe grandchildren. A memorial celebration will be held at Eden Baptist in Burnsville MN where Irene was an active and loved member. A visitation service will be held at Congdon’s Funeral home in Zion, IL on Friday Oct 9th from 5-7 pm. The funeral service will be held at the Christ Community Church on Sat Oct 10th at 11 am, viewing at 10 am. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet in Zion, IL. The family wishes to thank all the caregivers who lovingly graced Irene’s life. She will be missed by many and loved always by her daughters. Memorials can be made to the family to the family, to Gospel Missions, or directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to honor Irene.