Christine "Chris" Rae Oertel

Christine Rae Oertel, age 76, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Aurora Medical Center – Mount Pleasant, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 17, 1949, the daughter of the late Robert and Martha (Morter) Bohm.

Chris graduated from William Horlick High School, Class of 1967. She went on to earn her Nursing Degree from St. Olaf College and later a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education from Marquette University. On June 3, 1978, she was united in marriage to Frederick O. Oertel III at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church.

Chris dedicated her career to caring for others. She began her nursing journey deep in the hills of Kentucky, serving as a Frontier Nurse—driving her faithful Jeep through creek beds and winding back roads to care for patients in remote mountain communities. She later taught at St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Racine until its closing, and when her children were older, returned to nursing as a traveling nurse before ultimately serving as a school nurse for the Racine Unified School District, retiring from J.I. Case High School in 2013. Chris was a devoted member of Racine Assembly of God and, alongside Fred, served for 24 years with Royal Family Kids—a summer camp for foster children—14 of those years as directors.

Chris will be remembered for her incredible organizational skills, whether planning daily routines, special events, holidays, or elaborate family vacations—always down to the last detail. She had a heart for helping others, a quality that made her an extraordinary nurse, friend, and caregiver. More than anything, she treasured time with family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Fred; her children: Jeremy (Natasha), Nathan, and Daniel Oertel; grandchildren: Elliot and Lola Oertel; her sister Catherine Meader; stepchildren: Kimberly (John) Kuras, Tina (Scott) Corrigan; and step-grandchildren: Matthew and Patrick Kuras, Trevor, Jacob, and Nicholas Corrigan. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers-in-law Ross Meader, Peter Oertel, and Paul Oertel.

A funeral service and Nightingale Service will be held at Racine Assembly of God, 1325 Airline Road, on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Ed Walker officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The service will be followed by a celebration luncheon at 12:00 p.m., where we'll come together to remember Chris and the wonderful moments we shared with her. A private interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Aurora Medical Center for their compassionate care and support during this difficult time.