Obit: Derfus, Christine Elizabeth #2 (1945 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Derfus, Clarini, Strieter, Miller, Krahn, Makowski, Jungbluth, Resong, Atchison, Janke, Fischer, Joseph

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) August 10, 2011

Derfus, Christine Elizabeth (19 November 1945 - 4 August 2011)

Christine Derfus, 65, of Greenwood died Thursday Aug. 4, 2011, in the Palliative Care Unit of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Christine Elizabeth Derfus was born Nov. 19, 1945, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Henry and Stephanie (Clarini) Strieter. She attended school in Milwaukee at St. Michael’s Catholic Grade School and South Division High School, graduating in 1964.  She then worked in Milwaukee for a few years as a secretary at an attorney’s office and later in customer service at a jewelry store. She was united in marriage to Eugene Derfus Aug. 23, 1978, in Medford. They owned and operated a dairy farm in Colby from 1972 to 1994 and in Greenwood from 1994 until their retirement in 2000, when they sold the farm to their son.

Christine was a member of the Weston Homemakers club.  She enjoyed crocheting, the casino, bingo, cooking and fishing.  Most of all, however, she enjoyed being with her family and watching her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Eugene; a daughter, Deborah (David) Miller of Dorchester; a son, Gene (Jill) Derfus of Greenwood; eight grandchildren, Sierra, Andrew, Jacob and Sydney Miller, all of Dorchester, and Nicholas, Zachary Brandon and Brady Derfus, all of Greenwood; three sisters, Laura Krahn of Tonopa, AZ, Margaret (Mark) Makowski of Milwaukee, and Judith (Dave) Jungbluth of Phoenix, AZ; a brother, Robert (Mary Ellen) Strieter of Milwaukee; a sister-in-law, Sharon Strieter of Milwaukee; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, William Strieter; and a brother-in-law, Gary Krahn.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Christine was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville.  The Celebrant was Rev. Varkey V. Joseph.  Music was provided by organist, Ronald Resong and St. Mary’s Choir. Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Honorary casketbearers were Sydney Miller, Sierra Miller, Nicholas Derfus, Zachary Derfus, Brandon Derfus and Brady Derfus.

Casketbearers were Andrew Miller, Jacob Miller, David Miller, Brian Atchison, Robert Strieter, James Makowski, Matthew Janke and David Fischer.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

Gesche Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.