Jeanette M. Christiansen, age 96, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Monday, January 2, 2017 at Felician Village Next Step in Manitowoc.

Jean was born on May 30, 1920 in the Village of Reedsville to the late Arnold and Lydia Reichert Rusch. She graduated from Reedsville High School with the class of 1937. Jean was employed at Cook County Hospital, Chicago in the Pediatric Nursing Area. She then held a management position for nearly 38 years at the Manitowoc Company from where she retired in 1980. On May 15, 1943, Jean married Robert C. Christiansen at the Methodist Church Parsonage on Park Street in Manitowoc. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in 2014. He preceded her in death on June 15, 2014. Jean was a member of Lakeshore United Methodist Church.

Survivors include Jean's sister-in-law, E. Betty Kornely, Manitowoc; seven nieces, Virginia (Douglas) Mitchell, Santa Barbara, CA; Laura Pekar, Lee's Summit, MO; Lynn (James) Ries, Milwaukee; Karen (Jeffrey) Zriny, Wausau; Marcia (Jack) Christiansen, Manitowoc; Sara (Thomas Cusack) Rusch, Peoria, IL; Nancy J. Rusch (Anthony Crosariol), Little Rock, AR; and 23 great nieces and nephews along with 26 great great nieces and nephews; also other relatives and friends, especially her neighbors. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Lydia Rusch; husband, Robert C. Christiansen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Elizabeth Christiansen; two nieces, Barbara Rusch Vensko and Sandra Rusch; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Lawrence (June) Rusch and Roger (Jeanette) Rusch; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Beatrice (Roy) Kraemer and Lillian Rusch; and brother-in-law, Norman Kornely.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home in Manitowoc. Rev. Carly Kuntz will officiate with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Following the graveside service, a luncheon will be held for family and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at noon. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Thank you to the staff of Aurora Medical Center 3rd floor and Next Step at Felician Village for their care and compassion during Jean's brief stays.