Jane Carol Christensen

DIKE – Jane Carol Christensen, 75, passed away Sept. 8, 2024.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Fredsville Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at the church and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Inurnment will be at the Fredsville Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Jane Carol Christensen, the daughter of Ernie and Thelma (Petersen) Bruhn, was born in Waterloo on Feb 3, 1949.  She met Charles Christensen, her lifelong sweetheart, at Dike Community School in kindergarten at the age of 5 where, as legend has it, they shared a resting mat at nap time.  The two dated through junior high and high school … she, the calm and gentle to his ornery, the couple balancing each other perfectly.  She graduated from high school in 1967 and was united in marriage to her kindergarten nap time sweetheart two years later at Fredsville Lutheran Church on April 5, 1969. This year they celebrated 55 years of marriage. 

Jane worked for Universal CIT for two years right out of high school before their two children came along. Her new role as mom kept her home and busy for a few years.  After giving her children a great start, she returned to the workforce at the Dike Community School District where she spent most of the next 31 years as an administrative assistant to the superintendent. Retiring in 2011, Jane and Chuck spent lots of time with grandkids, attending their school activities and extra curriculars. She adored her role as Grandma, having summer and fall sleepovers involving tea parties with dolls, hats and tiny tasties with her granddaughters and campouts complete with leaf jumping, campfires and s’mores with her grandsons. Retirement also brought with it the opportunity to enjoy many trips across the country, some with dear friends, but mostly as a couple. Their favorite and repeat destination together being to Estes Park, Colorado. She would talk of her trips for weeks before and then after as well, showing photos of the beauty of God’s creation. 

Jane has been a lifelong member of Fredsville Lutheran Church. She was baptized, married and gave her life to Jesus there. Over the years she enjoyed volunteering at Fredsville in various teaching, serving and learning roles…teaching Bible school, Sunday school, sharing her faith with the youth in the WinGS program, participating in the bell choir and Bible studies. She also loved volunteering at New Aldaya, spending time with the residents, serving on the board and attending church with residents.  Jane loved Jesus.  His love shining through her in gentleness of spirit, patience, kindness, and compassion for others. She led in small ways while having big impacts. She modeled thankfulness and gratitude, often speaking of the blessings in her life. She knew that Jesus loves her and wanted to be sure those of us who knew and loved her, celebrated with confidence her eternal life with God. 

Jane is survived by her lifelong sweetheart, Chuck; her daughter Debra (Greg) Voss of Cedar Rapids; her son Daniel (Keri) Christensen of Anamosa; four grandkids who were her greatest blessings, Jacob and Reid Voss, Kyra and Jalyn Christensen; a brother, Jim (Donna) Bruhn; a sister-in-law, Maggie Christensen and many beloved nieces & nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Sally Kay; a brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Carol; father and mother-in-law, Ejnar and Helen Christensen; brother-in-law, Bob Christensen; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Christensen; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Shirley and Gary Harris.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, the American Cancer Society or Fredsville Lutheran Church. Online condolences at www.richardsonfuneralservice.com.