Obituary of Joanne Christenson

Joanne M. “JoJo” Christenson, passed away on April 17th, 2021 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, Colorado which was one day before her 68th wedding anniversary; we all believe she wanted to spend it with her beloved husband. She was 87. She was born to John and Mildred Gomora in Joliet, Illinois on April 4th, 1934. She attended school in Joliet and after graduating from Joliet Township High School in 1952 moved to Colorado to work at Dow Chemical at Rocky Flats and met her wonderful husband Robert B. “Chris” Christenson and they married on April 18th, 1953. She later worked as a secretary at Boulder High School as well as secretary at Sacred Heart of Jesus Rectory. She was president of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Altar & Rosary, president of the Boulder Jaycee Jems and was state secretary for the Colorado Mother of the Year organization. JoJo and her husband Chris were avid ballroom dancers and devoted fans and supporters of CU athletics. Together, JoJo and Chris enjoyed golf, bowling, bridge, trips to Central City, hosting family gatherings, and taking cruises and vacations with their entire family. She worked for a total of twenty-seven years as an administrative assistant at CU Boulder in the athletic department. First, for two CU basketball coaches (Sox Walseth and Charlie Gardner) for twelve years, followed by fifteen years for various CU athletic directors. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband (June 8th, 2005); her parents; brother Ronald “Ron” Gomora (November 13th, 2012); and niece Gaylynn Dostal (November 12th, 2012). She is survived by her loving and precious three daughters, Sharon Bluse, Karon Johncox (significant other Robert Burke), Joan “Joanie” Christenson (partner Kimberly Balls); grandchildren, Christopher Bluse (wife Eve-Lynn), Aaron Bluse, Brittany Bluse, Trevor Johncox, Logan Johncox and Conor Johncox; great grandchildren, Cole Bluse and Ryden Bluse; sister Shirley Akins and niece Nancy Akins; sister-in-law, Joan Gomora, niece Honorable Judge Paula Gomora; niece Rene Jones (husband Carl); ex-son-in-law’s Robert Bluse and David Johncox. A mass of Christian burial will be said on Saturday, April 24th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 3300 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80302. A reception and celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. Please make a contribution in JoJo’s name to the charity of your choice or the Buff Club, 369 UCB Champions Center, Boulder, CO 80309. Make checks payable to the CU Foundation and in the memo, field put JoJo Christenson or visit http://cubuffclub.com/IMO-JOJO. For online messages to the family, visit www.murphyfuneraldirectors.com.