"If you have the choice between being kind and being right, choose being kind."

- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Carol K Christenson always chose "being kind" and encouraged others to do the same.  Carol lived her life graciously and generously, always ready to share her time and talents with others.  Countless people's lives were touched by Carol's kindness and thoughtfulness. She made so many positive impacts on the lives of her students and co-workers as an educator and radio station manager.  During her 12-year career at Aid Association for Lutherans, she managed the AV Services Department with openness and integrity – encouraging creativity and guiding her staff and co-workers to their fullest potential. For those who knew her, there would be no better way to honor her memory than to choose to be kind.

Carol and her husband Bob traveled the world and made life-long friends along the way.  Her curiosity about others made her eager to engage in conversations and build relationships.  She was compassionate and caring and enjoyed putting her faith into action on Mission trips around the country and the globe, with local volunteer work, and through an active church life.  Carol was the "hostess with the mostest" and loved entertaining and opening her home to others.  She hosted Teddy Bear Tea Parties for charity, PEO meetings and luncheons, bridge club, golf league, birthday parties, neighborhood gatherings, Fine Arts group, book club, dinner parties, etc., etc., and always loved having her children and grandchildren gather for holidays. She was an excellent cook and spent years as a food stylist and recipe developer. Carol loved ducks, butterflies, and every kind of beautiful flower. But mostly she loved her family and friends and went out of her way to make them feel valued and loved.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Bob Christenson.  She is survived by her three children: Bill (Anne Marie) Christenson, Darien, IL; Caren (Ken) Cohee, Indianola, IA; and Amy (Rich) Bothmann, Round Lake, IL and grandchildren who knew her as "Nana" - Megan (Aaron Rubens) Christenson, Rob (Lisa) Christenson, Kaitlyn Christenson, Evan Freyberg, Alex Cohee, Tanner Freyberg, Jackson Bothmann and Hanna Bothmann.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2024 at First United Methodist Church, 325 E. Franklin St in Appleton, WI.  Visitation will be held prior to service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Refreshments will follow service.  Private inurnment will be held in the Sherwood Cemetery. Memorials in her name can be made to Mission Cancer + Blood Center, Des Moines, IA (https://www.missioncancer.com/), the Community Clothes Closet (https://communityclothescloset.org/), or the Mission Team at First United Methodist Church (https://www.appfumc.org/).