Appleton City, MO: Earlene Ann Ijams Christie, 77, of Appleton City, MO, passed away on Apr. 25, 2023, after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Earlene was born on Oct. 19, 1945, to Earl Ijams and Constance Prime Ijams in Sedalia, MO. In her early life, Earlene traveled with her family across the country, residing in many states. After she graduated from Parkhill High school in Kansas City in 1963, Earlene went on to study teaching at NWMSU. Earlene earned an additional master’s degree at Northwest in counseling. Mrs. Christie was a passionate educator, serving the Butler, Eagleville, Ridgeway, Appleton City, Hughesville, Concordia, Martinsville, and Knob Noster school districts.
In 1963, Earlene met Harvey Dwight Christie while attending college in Maryville, MO. Earlene and Harvey went on to have two children, Douglas Sterling and Eric Duane.
Throughout her life, Earlene was quick witted, humorous, and caring. She was a passionate animal lover, and enjoyed hobbies such as planting flowers, scrapbooking, and quilting. Earlene and her husband Harvey were interested in genealogy and traveled with their family to highland games and abroad to Scotland. In January 2009, Earlene donated lifesaving stem cells to her younger brother, Ron, who continues to survive her. Earlene also maintained close contact with her high school class and attended class reunions whenever she could.
Earlene was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Constance Ijams.
Earlene is survived by her husband Harvey Christie; her children: Douglas (Bettina) Christie and Eric (Vicki) Christie; her grandchildren: Elizabeth (Joel) Jeffries, Alexandra (Brandon) Goellner, Abi (Josh) Heiserman, Bob (Callie) Schenker and Sam Christie. She will be forever remembered by her siblings Carol Ijams Carlson and Ronald Ijams.
Services were at 2 PM, Apr. 30, 2023 at Hill & Son Funeral Home, Appleton City, MO 64724 (660-476-2135). Visitation preceded the service. Burial was at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Warrensburg, MO. Memorial donations are to Alzheimer’s Assoc. or First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg, MO.