Shirley Streif Christianson

Shirley Streif Christianson        
1931-2016

Shirley Streif Christianson passed away Feb 9, 2016, age 84, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul after a brief and unexpected stay due to complications from a surgical procedure.

Shirley was born on Sep 17, 1931, in Forest Township, WI and raised near Clear Lake. She participated in the Clear Lake United Methodist Church and was a member of the Clear Lake High School Class of 1949.  She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Elmer Frederick Streif and Frances (Paulson) Streif.  She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Clinton Curtis Christianson; their four children, Eric (Patricia), Todd (Trudy), Joel (Kim), and Amy (Richard) Goerwitz; 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; as well as by her two brothers, Paul (Carol) and John (Marilyn) Streif.

Shirley and Clinton got to know each other on their shared rides from Wisconsin to their schools in the Twin Cities, the University of Minnesota and Mounds Midway School of Nursing (an arrangement that, legend has it, was rigged by their foresightful parents).  They wed on January 1, 1952, in a private ceremony in her family home.  They kept their marriage a secret for six months until she graduated from nursing school so Shirley wouldn’t be kicked out for being married.  During their years together, they lived in Schenectady, NY; Peabody and Danvers, MA; Minnetonka, MN; Dundee, IL; and eventually, in their retirement, Lake Elmo, MN.  Shirley and Clint complemented each other all their lives, with Clint managing finances, logistics, and fixing anything that was broken, and Shirley keeping the address book, planning events, caring for the children, nursing, and serving as their guiding force.

Shirley was not only a wife and mother, but also a nurse, and later in life a chemical dependency counselor.  Shirley was a giver, working tirelessly all her life to nurture and connect people.  She organized events such as family and class reunions, served Meals on Wheels, and volunteered for the Christ Recovery Center of the Union Gospel Mission, for whom she organized monthly birthday celebrations for nineteen years for late-stage alcoholic men rebuilding their lives.  She also served on the board of the Emma Norton Foundation, which helps homeless women and families who have the added challenge of chemical dependency or mental illness.

Shirley seemed to walk through life bumping into people she knew.  She was the relative you would turn to if you needed a place to stay.  She was the one you could confide in if you were sad or lonely.  She was the one who called you out of the blue on your birthday and sent you a musical card as well.  Shirley was the one who recognized you on the street, after not seeing you for twenty years, and made you feel like no time had passed at all.  Shirley would tell you what you needed to hear, even if you didn't like it, but then call you afterwards, and make sure you were okay.

Shirley always knew her mind and called the shots to the end.  In the days before she passed on, she herself decided when to go off the ventilator and later removed the mask that assisted her breathing, knowing full well what the result might be.

Shirley will be remembered for her courage, her independence, her generosity and kindness, and her interest in and compassion towards others.  She will be deeply missed.

Funeral  Services were held on Friday, February 12, 2016 at Boutwells Landing Auditorium in Oak Park Heights, MN  and on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in
Clear Lake, WI.  Interment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, WI.    

Clergy  - The Rev. Bruce Ruggles & Rev. John Hazen;    
Music -  David Goulet, Brian Wick, Lyle & Margie Merriman
Casketbearers  -  David Christianson,   Jeremy Christianson, Ethan Christianson,
Joshua Christianson, Jared Christianson, Reniel Christianson and Richard Goerwitz IV

Family prefers memorials in lieu of flowers.

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