Christine D

Stilling

Christine D. Stilling, 63, Cambridge, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at her home.

She was born on July 20, 1950, the daughter of Lyman and Dolly (Stroebel) Martin.

Chris attended Flanagan Country School through the 6th grade. She graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1968 and from The University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1972, and did her graduate work at UW-Whitewater.

In 1970, she began her teaching career in the Lake Mills summer school program and continued to do so for 25 years. She taught kindergarten her first year in Sun Prairie and then taught Special Education at LMHS, from where she retired in 2011, after 39 years.

She truly loved her vocation. Her colleagues that surrounded her were a second family. Students were the heart and soul of her career. Chris had currently been in contact with many of the hundreds of students whose lives she touched over the years.

Chris met Harry in the spring of 1973. They were married on her family farm August 10, 1974. They lived on his family farm, a few miles away.

Chris's real joy of her life was her family. She loved living on the farm and raising their two sons, Bill and Bob. All the chores, fieldwork, cow shows, and sales were a joy for her to watch. Bill and Bob at Harry's side as they grew was the best part of her life.

Although her retirement was short, it was very fulfilling. She enjoyed helping Bill and Kristen run the farm with Harry. And now watching her grandchildren, Justin, Adie, and Emmett grow up on the farm. Her and Harry enjoyed traveling to watch Bob at his work with NBC Sports/Golf Channel. Chris was overjoyed with the birth of Elin Christine, Bob and Megan's first Child.

In her free time, she enjoyed gardening with her mother, Dolly, swimming, sailing, and watching PJ's Home Talent Games and the Brewers.

Chris was a member of the Lake Mills Moravian Church and Lake Ripley Country Club.

She is survived by her husband Harold Stilling, Jr of Cambridge; Sons William (Kristen) Stilling of Lake Mills, Robert (Megan) Stilling of Lake Mills; Grandchildren, Justin, Adela, Emmett, and Elin Christine; Mother, Dolly Martin of Fort Atkinson; Brother, Carl (Jennifer) Martin of Lake Mills; Sister, Margaret (Ron) Demshar of Wayzata, MN; mother-in-law, Grace Stilling of Cambridge. Many nieces and nephews, including PJ and Kaity Stilling of Lake Mills, and Margarete and Anna Martin of Lake Mills.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the Lake Mills Moravian Church, 301 College Street, Lake Mills, WI, with Rev. Bruce Nelson officiating.

Burial will be at Kroghville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2014 at the Lake Mills Moravian Church and after 10 a.m. on Saturday also at the church until the time of services.

If desired, memorials may be made to the family to establish an Agricultural Scholarship and a fund for a memorial garden at the Lake Mills High School.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com