MADISON - Marjorie Jean Christoph, age 88, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Coventry Village. A devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Margie is remembered for her enduring faith and service to community. As well as her independent, kind, generous, loving and adventurous spirit. She was a source of strength whom so many turned to and had endless grace for everyone.

Margie was born on October 31, 1935, in Madison, the daughter of Vernon and Mae (Maloney) Manley. She grew up on a dairy farm in Sun Prairie and graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1954. She met Charles D. Christoph at a high school dance in Sun Prairie. They were married on September 3, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Marshall. Together they raised six children.

Once all of their children were in school, Margie went back to school, where she received her nursing degree from the UW-Madison School of Nursing. She worked at St. Mary's School of Nursing as an assistant nursing instructor and Meriter Hospital as an RN on the neuroscience unit. Margie retired after 30 years of selfless service in the nursing field.

Margie was a faithful and longtime member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and was active in the choir, Bible studies and Rosary prayer services. She didn’t know a stranger and was passionate about her family, friends and travel. She loved having all of her family over for the holidays and returned from trips abroad with stacks of souvenir shirts for the entire family.

Margie enjoyed gardening and cooking - incorporating home-grown rhubarb in one of the twelve-plus pie variations she made each fall. Margie’s passion for music extended to singing and playing the guitar, piano, accordion and clarinet. She loved watching movies and sports (“Go Packers”). She also made sure to keep current and active in politics.

Margie is survived by her five children, Michael (Lynn) Christoph, Patrick (Joan) Christoph,

Karen (Thomas) Beck, Kay (Gregory) Zalesak and Paul Christoph; grandchildren, Seth (Jacki), Kasey (James), Stacey, Edward (Kasey), Joseph (Victoria), Nichole, Cody (Lani), Alex (Tatiana), Jacqui (Aaron), Tina (Ron), Tara, Veronica (Michael), Gregory (Brittany), Eli and Elliot; great-grandchildren, Nathan, Kami, Ava, Annabelle, Brianna, Nicholas, Charlie, Baby Girl Hess, Luciana, and Luz; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents, Vernon, Mae and Emma; son, Jonathon Christoph; brother, Michael (Eleanor) Manley; and sister, Patricia (Dex) Thusius.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, with Deacon Tim Reilly presiding. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Margie’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on “Watch Now” in the Webcast section. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will take place at Sun Prairie Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Heart Association or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Marjorie Jean Christoph

October 31, 1935 - October 22, 2024

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