Wilma L. “Wendy” Christensen, 80, Carthage, Mo., passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009, from injuries sustained in a one vehicle accident, east of Carthage on Highway 96. 

Wendy Christensen was born Oct. 30, 1928, in Pleasant Hill, Mo., the daughter of Charles Thompson and Nell Troxell Thompson. She was a graduate of Paseo High School, Kansas City, Mo., and attended two years at Stephens College, Columbia, Mo.  She married R. B. “Bob” Christensen in July of 1949 at Marvel Cave, Branson, Mo. He preceded her in death on Feb. 4, 1982. 

Wendy and her husband, Bob, came to Carthage from Lansing, Kan., in 1961 and started their business, Bob’s Shoe Warehouse. They operated their business till the death of her husband, Bob, and for 15 years she served as C.E.O. and President till her retirement after 35 years of operation.

Bob’s Shoe Warehouse was in five states and operated 16 stores.

Wendy was active in the Carthage community and was a patron of the arts and a dear friend of the artists. She was a strong supporter of artCentral, the Carthage Soroptomist Club, a judge for the Maple Leaf Festival Parade and was responsible for bringing the Vietnam Moving Wall to Central Park.

Survivors include two daughters: Cathleen Corp and husband, Dan, Carthage, Connie Menzer and husband, Stephen, Weston, Fla.; one sister, Eunice Belle Bluhm, Round Rock, Texas;  four grandchildren, Cierra Menzer, Shelly Corp, Nicole Crivello and Natalie Herrod; three great-grandchildren; Nicholas, Madelyn and Matthew Crivello.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; one daughter, Christina Lobbey and one sister, Emma Lou Hamilton.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2009, in the Knell Mortuary Chapel, Carthage.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at her home, Wendy Acres, Carthage, for her family and many friends.

Memorial gifts are suggested to the Carthage artCentral in care of Knell Mortuary. 

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Knell Mortuary, Carthage, Mo.