Obituary: Clarice June (Peterson) Christianson

June 9, 1925 ~ August 14, 2021

Clarice June Christianson, 96, of Sturgeon Bay, WI, died at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay Saturday, August 14, 2021. She was reunited with her husband, Merle, whom she had missed since March 16, 2019.

Clarice was born June 9, 1925 in Phillips, WI, the only child of William Victor Peterson and Marie Henrietta (Kohne) Peterson. She graduated from Phillips High School in 1943 and moved to Sturgeon Bay with her family a few years later when her father accepted in janitorial position at Sturgeon Bay High School. Clarice was initiated into Island City Rebekah Lodge in Sturgeon Bay on December 16, 1947 and remained a member throughout her life. She was a former Wisconsin Assembly President (for the state Rebekah Lodge). Clarice attended Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay where she met Merle Arthur Christianson. They were united in marriage at Bay View Lutheran Church on September 23, 1950 and remained lifelong members.

Clarice initially worked for McClellan’s (dime store) and then Maytag Laundry, both in Sturgeon Bay. Merle established Service Cab in the 1970s, a taxi service, and Clarice drove taxi a lot of hours, during Merle’s 10 years of ownership. They were blessed with over 68 years of marriage. Clarice went to live at Cardinal Ridge residential care in Sturgeon Bay in July of 2019.

She liked knitting (sweaters and mittens) and crocheting (dish cloths). Clarice had a passion for music and enjoyed playing the piano (frequently at local care facilities) and singing. She held onto her faith which provided a foundation for her life. Clarice loved her husband and her family.

Clarice’s love will live on in the hearts of her three children, Sandra (James) Simonar of the Town of Nasewaupee, WI, Mark (special friend, Chrystal Jeurnik) Christianson of Sturgeon Bay, WI, and Penni (Mike) Alexander of Las Vegas, NV; two grandchildren, Maria and Kes Alexander; siblings-in-law, Millard Christianson of Sturgeon Bay, WI and June Ehrbar of Green Bay, WI; other relatives; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; granddaughter, Hannah Alexander; siblings-in-law, (infant) Delores and William “Bill” (Imogene “Imie”) Christianson, Jr.; and other family, Iris Christianson and Ernie Ehrbar.

Clarice’s life will be honored with a memorial service at Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay, WI with Pastor Jeff Greathouse officiating. She will be laid to rest in Mt. Olive Cemetery in the Town of Sturgeon Bay, WI beside her husband, Merle.

Memorials may be given in Clarice’s name for Cardinal Ridge or Bay View Lutheran Church.

“Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Cardinal Ridge for the wonderful care Mom received as a resident there and also to the staff of Door County Medical Center for the kind and care you gave.”

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay, WI are caring for the Christianson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Clarice may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.