JoAnn C. ' Bubbles' Christiansen

JoAnn C. ' Bubbles' Christiansen, 73, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2013, at Heritage Care Center after a courageous week-long struggle with heart failure. JoAnn Constance Christiansen, known to her friends and family as 'Chris' or 'Bubbles,' was born July 31, 1939, at Park Hospital in Mason City, Iowa, the only daughter of Jens C. and Doris Meri (Durant) Christiansen. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. JoAnn attended schools in Mason City, proudly graduating with the MCHS Class of '57! Following a Senior Week party that year, she ascended to the top of the Clear Lake water tower where she promptly froze - high in the air and clinging for life! Extraction was made by the Clear Lake Fire Department. She was met at the bottom by her parents and escorted home. JoAnn felt lucky to have survived to the ripe age of 73 after pulling that stunt! After working briefly for Katz Cleaners, JoAnn graduated from La' James College of Hairstyling and thus began her lifelong career. JoAnn will be remembered by many for her witty business cards to those who could appreciate her sometimes irreverent sense of humor! She had a multitude of loyal customers who followed her from salon to salon, starting with the Clip 'n Curl in the Kirk Apartment Building, Chris' Salon on South Federal where Southbridge Mall now resides, PM & Associates, the IOOF Home and the beauty shops in her various homes. Following her retirement in 2001, JoAnn sold her home and moved to 3-Links Apartments in Mason City where she knew much happiness and independence until a fall with a resultant ill-healing hip fracture forced her into a care facility. She had spent the past several years surrounded by her Heritage Family, as she called them, an excellent health care team - a more loving, caring group of individuals would be impossible to find. She was most appreciative of her life and adopted family there, even though she was not usually the kind to express that! Her final request last week was that she go 'home' to her room at Heritage and let nature take its course. The next morning she was called to Heaven. JoAnn will be fondly remembered for her award-winning efforts raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy as well as her football pools and various shades of red hair! She had a contagious giggle, sparkling brown eyes and, at times, the mouth of a sailor! Throughout her life, JoAnn was a champion bowler, a lover and supporter of animals of all kinds (but particularly cats!), shopping, breakfast with friends at Lee's Lanes, Sallee's, playing cards, casino trips, and she was known to enjoy a Kamikaze or two at Burke's Bar & Grill! JoAnn exemplified her nickname of 'Bubbles' being always outspoken, vivacious and in general full of spit and vinegar! JoAnn will be sadly missed by her new family of friends at Heritage Care Center and her life-long friends (you know who you are!), as well as her 'Baby Cuz' Dana (Gary) Jansen and family. JoAnn was preceded in death by her beloved parents and infant brother, Robert H. Christiansen, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. That body that betrayed her so many times these past several years has been cremated and her beautiful spirit released to continue her good work in Heaven. A memorial service may be scheduled at a later date. Until then, please remember her fondly in your hearts as she takes your love with her to That Better Place. Should a memorial be desired, please address it to the Humane Society of North Iowa in JoAnn's name.