Inger Marie Christensen's Obituary
Inger Marie Christensen, 89, of Wayne, PA passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on September 20, 1933, in Copenhagen, Denmark to the late Hartvig and Edith Jensen. She was preceded in death by her husband Palle Stig Christensen and loving partners Erich Stockmann and Bill Sharrar.
Inger leaves behind her two daughters, Janette Christensen Brunjes (Todd), Susanne Ortmann (Rick), and grandchildren, August Siebs, Erik Siebs (Sabrina), Hanna Ortmann and Christian Ortmann. Her brother, Jørgen Jensen, nephews Lars Wennick and Martin Wennick, along with many other family and friends.
As a small child Inger grew up during the height of WW2 and survived the invasion of Nazis in her beloved Copenhagen. Inger’s early history was spent rationing, “hearing the boots” of German soldiers in her father’s grocery store and escaping to the family farm in Jutland during this turbulent time.
Later as a young adult she attended an esteemed dancing school in Copenhagen and met her future husband. Inger Marie became an accomplished pianist upon the encouragement of her family. She apprenticed in her stepfather’s leather design shop and created custom design shoes and gloves for the wealthy set.
Inger immigrated to Canada in the late 1950s as a young bride. It was a huge feat to move across the pond, flying 18 hours in those days to reach the continent. She knew very little English and recalled buying the odd items in the grocery and accidental purchases such as finding peanut butter for the first time which later became one of her favorites. Quite different from her herring Danish lunchtime usual! Inger and her young family later moved on to the US. She was proud to become a US citizen in 1966. She raised two children with her husband Palle in her loving arms in Canada, Massachusetts, Turkey, and Pennsylvania. In her later years, she relocated to Herndon, Virginia to be close to her daughters and families.
Inger loved children and spent years providing day care for young children. She was proud of her daughters who too became a nurse (Janette) and a teacher (Susanne).
As her daughters started their own families, her grandchildren brought her much joy. She was known to her them as “Mormor”. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and often played the piano and sang for them. She was an outdoor enthusiast, self-trained naturalist and loved sharing her knowledge with the youngsters.
Inger was a longtime resident of Wayne, PA. Her heart was deeply rooted in her family, her beloved homeland Denmark, the ocean, and the outdoors. Her love of dance and song was apparent. At times as she would break out in dance whether in the kitchen or on a ballroom floor.
Inger was the consummate homemaker, grandmother, award winning flower arranger, gardener, teacher, music lover and volunteer. She spent countless hours supporting local scouts, garden clubs, other seniors in need, as well as The Danish Brotherhood, where she made many lifelong friends.
Inger will be forever loved, missed, and remembered.
A private family memorial service and dinner will honor Inger on July 22 ,2023 along with a celebration of life back in Denmark in 2024.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Capital Caring Hospice or Blue Ridge Hospice.
https://capitalcaring-tributelights.funraise.org/
https://brhospice.org/donate/
Please share online condolences to the family www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
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