Sharyn Lee (Purcell) Christensen of Bellevue, WA died on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Peacefull Adult Family Home. Sharyn was born on November 22, 1942, in Beloit, WI to John Spencer Purcell and Helen (Sommer) Purcell. She was raised in Beloit, WI and attended Beloit Memorial High School where she was part of the R.O.T.C., graduating from high school in 1960. Sharyn attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA where she graduated with a degree in Social Work in 1964. Sharyn married Thomas G. Christensen on August 23, 1964, in Beloit, WI at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Sharyn also attended the Summer Institute of Linguistics in 1964, Alliance Francaise in Paris in 1965 -1966 and Gbaya Language Study in Cameroon. Sharyn worked for the Division of Evangelism of the American Lutheran Church in Minneapolis in 1964-1965 after which she accepted a call along with her husband, as Missionaries to Cameroon, West Africa. While serving in Cameroon and Central African Republic, Sharyn served organizing pastor’s widows, Gbaya Women’s Group, teaching literacy classes to women, and always spent time caring for children and the poor. From 1987-2003 she was employed as the Financial Secretary at the Lutheran Institute of Theology in Meiganga, Cameroon. When in the United States during the 1980’s, Sharyn worked at the University of Chicago Work Study Program Secretary 1981-1983, and as secretary for Bjorge Fish Company in Issaquah, WA. She was honored with a plaque for serving 36 years as a missionary. She was fluent in French and Gbaya. Sharyn was a wonderful and faithful mother to three children Nyla (David) Schoeld, Matthew Christensen, and Mari (David) Elwin, 13 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Her gifts and passions were sewing and gardening, and she was a wonderful cook.
Sharyn was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Deanna Purcell, and her brother, Donald Purcell. She is survived by her husband, Tom, three children, grandchildren and loved nieces and nephews.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
Share