Elizabeth "Betty" C. Christianson

Born: August 18, 1944 Brockton, MA
Died: November 15, 2021 Portage, WI

Elizabeth C. “Betty” Christianson (nee Harrington) of Portage, WI, was born to eternal life on November 15, 2021.  Betty spent her final week at home, surrounded and supported by family and friends until her death due to renal cancer. 

Betty grew up in Buzzards Bay, MA. She was the youngest of 3 surviving children of Carl and Anna Harrington. She graduated from Bourne High School in 1962, and from the Cape Cod School of Nursing in 1964, where she was employed for nearly two years.

Betty met Allan Christianson of Wausau, WI, on a blind date set up by her brother, Alfred. Betty and Allan married in 1965, at St Margaret’s Catholic Church of Buzzards Bay after which they honeymooned in Maine.

The couple resided for 10 years in Stevens Point, WI, where Betty worked at St Michael’s Hospital.  All three of their children were born at that hospital.

The family moved to Superior, WI, in 1974, where Allan was employed at the University of Wisconsin as a programmer/analyst. During those years Betty worked at several care facilities in Superior, including Chaffey Nursing Home, St Francis Nursing Home and Royalton Manor. Betty also worked as a memory care specialist at Cape Heritage Nursing Home in Sandwich, MA. When the family moved to Madison, WI, in the early 1990s she worked at St. Mary’s Care Center before retiring in 2000. When Allan also retired from the State of Wisconsin, the couple moved to Portage, WI.

Betty was a hobby oil painter, avid reader, witty conversationalist and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her sense of humor and adventurous personality will be missed. Together, Betty and Allan enjoyed travel, community service and religious activities, including Knights of Columbus events with Allan, and spending time with family. Highlights of their travels include Ireland, where they explored Betty's Irish family roots, a Caribbean cruise, Seattle, and visits home to Cape Cod.

Betty was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Anna Harrington, and her brother Carl Harrington, Jr. Betty is survived by her husband of 56 years, Allan G. Christianson, her brother Alfred (Judy) Harrington, her children Diane Handrick (John Leiber), Eric (Jennifer) Christianson, and Robert (Amy) Christianson, and grandchildren Alaina, Christian, Dutch, George, Grace, Erin and Will.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church (St. Faustina Parish) in Pardeeville on Monday, November 22, at 9:30am. Interment will take place at the family plot in Wausau at Restlawn Memorial Park the same day at 1:30pm. All who loved Betty are welcome to attend these events.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to PO Box 1741 Madison, WI 53701 for dispersal to Betty's favorite charities and for funeral expenses. The family also welcomes contributions to the charity of your choice in Betty's name.

The family extends a special thank you to Judy Wenske for her dedicated friendship and care, and to Agrace Hospice Care.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.