Gloria (Giese) Christens, 93, passed away peacefully at Tender Hearts Assisted Living on February 23, 2025. Gloria was born on February 18, 1932 to William and Martha (Harbinski) Giese. As a young child, she went to live with her aunt and uncle, Pauline ("Auntie") and Carl Giese. She married Raymond Christens on December 26, 1951, and they had been married for 69 years when he passed away on April 6, 2021.

Gloria graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1950. She had a beautiful soprano voice and, for many years, sang with her sister's family in the East Moravian Church choir. Ray and Gloria enjoyed traveling and gardening. She spent many hours in her raspberry patch, resulting in numerous batches of jam and delicious pies. Countless December days were consumed with Christmas cookie baking and Gloria shared her treats with family and friends.

Time with the grandchildren was always welcomed and Grandma and Grandpa were very involved in their lives. Grandma saw the humor in the pranks Matthew and Megan pulled on her when they were young and Mark had a special bond with "Little Granny." Gloria was a very proud Grandma.

Gloria and Ray were inseparable. She was right there with him as he took on responsibilities at St. Benedict Catholic Church and with the Knights of Columbus. She even became the church secretary for a time.

In her last days of life, Gloria was able to celebrate her 93rd birthday and meet her great-granddaughter, Linnea.

Gloria is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Scott Darrow; grandchildren Matthew (Carrie) Darrow, Megan (Erik) Thorkelson and Mark Darrow; great-granddaughter Linnea Thorkelson; sister-in-law Ruth (Don) Palubicki; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; Auntie and Uncle Carl; her parents; sister and brother-in-law Elaine and George Deuchert; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Arnold and Donna Christens; special cousin Audrey (Don) Maihock.

Gloria was very close with her sister's family. She especially appreciated spending time with Bruce and Judy Deuchert and Nancy and Rich Crevier and their families.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 1; Funeral Service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery - Suamico. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

Thank you to all the compassionate caregivers at Tender Hearts Assisted Living Building 2 and Unity Hospice. The care Gloria received over the last year was outstanding.