"I'll miss her forever. "
In loving memory of
Joanna Ruth Christiansen
November 18, 1962 - December 16, 2025
Joanna Ruth Hagensick Knox Christiansen, 63, of Auburn, WA, passed peacefully to her reward early in the morning on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at her home. Joanna had been diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2022 which went into remission in December 2022. By 2024 it had come back and metastasized to her lungs and bones. Radiation and a clinical trial did not help her this time and she was told there was nothing more that could be done for her. She went on hospice in July, 2025.
Joanna spent the first 43 years of her life in the Chicago area. She worked for a computer repair shop and then as a typesetter for Ron K Graphic Services, a secretary, and finally second level IT support at ServiceMaster/Aramark. When she married David Christiansen in 2006, she moved to Bremerton, WA, and worked in IT support for K&L Gates as a Senior Technical Support Specialist and later an Application Support Analyst. She finished her career by becoming a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. By this time, she realized that using her talents to help David as he dealt with Lewy Body Dementia was much more rewarding than a career, and she retired the day after becoming licensed. After David passed, Joanna moved to Auburn, WA.
Joanna was deeply religious throughout her life, dedicating her life to God at only 12 years old. She was very active with the Chicago Bible Students and later with the Seattle Bible Students and Bellevue Bible Students. She loved traveling with David to the Philippines on multiple occasions, to Australia, to Europe, and, after his passing, to India, just a year before her death. These were highlights for her and she loved meeting fellow Christians from all around the world.
In addition to her career, Joanna thoroughly enjoyed volunteer work. She started volunteer work at The Dawn Bible Student Association after graduating with honors from Greer Technical Institute, where she had studied auto mechanics. As her knowledge of computers increased, she loved being able to help various ones with their computer needs. And, after marrying David, she enjoyed working with the BSRC and the PBI, as well as proofreading. She was detail oriented and strove for excellence.
Joanna is survived by her daughter Athena Knox (Daniel Holley), and step-children, Jennifer (Dave) Beaton, Heidi (Mark) Sztroin, Nick (Amy) Clayton, and Gavin (Ashly) Christiansen. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson, her sister Cher-El Hagensick and Sister-in-law Laurie (Paul) Flinn. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Christiansen in 2022, parents Carl and Marjorie Hagensick, and brother Carl Austin Hagensick.
We are planning a Celebration of Life for her on January 2, 2026 at 1 PM PST at:
Greenwood Memorial Park
350 Monroe Ave. NE
Renton, WA 98056
We also plan to broadcast on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 894 1415 3754
Passcode: 144000
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Tributes
"To the Family of Sr. Joanna, Our deepest sympathy in the passing of our dear Sr. Joanna. She was a beacon of Light throughout her walk in the narrow way, letting her light shine in Truth, Love and Faith. As a faithful servant of the Lord in whatever testings the Lord saw fit to put upon her, Sr Joanna was ceaseless in her obedience and zeal, striving to do the Lord's Will. Her life truly exemplified a "footstep follower of the Lord, sharing the gospel message to those who had an ear to hear, caring selflessly for her husband, David, and endeavoring always to serve the household of faith. Our prayer is that Sr Joanna has been rewarded and blessed to hear Our Lord's words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). To the Family and all the brethren we leave you with the Lord's Blessed Assurance in John 14:27. In Him. "
"I am Alex joel sam, from south most part of India Tirunelveli Ecclesia near russelpuram Memory to Share: I would like to share a personal memory of Sister Johanna Christiansen. During her visit to India last year, she thoughtfully brought me the RVIC Bible and the book Adam to Zion. These have been a great help and blessing in my Bible studies. Although I was unable to meet her in person during that visit, I remain grateful for her kindness and spiritual encouragement. In addition, whenever I requested older PDF copies of the Herald, she always made sure to send them to me?faithfully doing so right up to the last days of her service with the Pastoral Bible Institute. I cherish her loving spirit and dedication, and I look forward with hope to meeting her again beyond the veil. Thank you Br Alex"