Diane Marie Christoph

OREGON - Diane Marie Christoph, of Oregon, Wis., passed away at her home on April 7, 2024, due to pneumonia and subsequent complications.  

Diane was born on Sept. 3, 1949, in Waukesha, Wis., the first daughter of Virginia E. and Dr. Roy J. Christoph. She attended Waukesha South High School, Waukesha, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. Diane obtained her master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin -Madison, lived in the Madison area since graduating from college, and was a special education teacher for the Madison School District. She spent many years at La Follette High School as a loving and caring teacher for physically and mentally challenged high school students.

Diane loved ice skating, singing, and had an adventurous spirit traveling quite often throughout the United States with her RV camper and friends. Her favorite parks were Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.  In recent years, since she could not travel far due to health challenges, she would visit places like Devil’s Lake and Mirror Lake State Parks in Wisconsin where she could enjoy the outdoors, birds, and beautiful scenery close by.

Diane was a lover of all animals, and always took care of a dog, cats or both throughout her life! She volunteered to foster kittens and recently adopted two from 9 Lives Rescue because she didn't want to split them up since they were sisters.  One of her other passions was photography, and Diane joined members of the Oregon Wisconsin Photography group, going on outings capturing beautiful pictures of local landmarks, parks, as well as her garden and area plant life.

Diane kept up with her gardening at the local Oregon community garden, growing tomatoes, beans and an assortment of flowers and plants.  She had recently moved to a senior apartment complex in Oregon where she had met some wonderful new friends, and felt a special connection and place of belonging there.  She was, as we are, grateful to that special group of people that so warmly welcomed her to her new home, and as one of those persons stated, “We just knew when she pulled in with a Camper, she was the perfect fit.”

Diane is survived by her brothers, Bruce J. Christoph (Joanne) of Henderson, Nev., and Doug C. Christoph (Laura) of Marietta, Ga.; sister, Susan Thiel (Jack) of Henderson, Nev.; cousins, Jeanie Sniff (Jim) of Verona, Wis., and John Bayley (Eva) and Pacal Bayley of Madison, Wis., Joey O’Connor (Paul) of Winter Haven, Fla., and Josh Gabrielson (Christy) of Lakewood, Colo.; and nieces and nephews, Jenna McQuiston of Brookings S.D., David McQuiston (Sasha) of Las Vegas, Nev., Steven McQuiston of Albuquerque, N.M., Jared Thiel of Las Vegas, Nev., Geoffrey Christoph of Henderson, Nev., Marc Christoph (Jen) of Reno, Nev., and Andrew Christoph of Atlanta, Ga.

A private family only gathering will take place in mid-May at Gunderson Oregon Funeral and Cremation Care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s name may be made to her favorite animal rescue organization including Angel’s Wish Pet Adoption, Verona, Wis. (www.angelswish.org), Dane County Humane Society (www.giveshelter.org),  or Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Estes Park, Colo. (www.coloradogives.org/organization/Rmc).

Diane will be greatly missed.

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

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515