Christine G. Erdman

Christine “Chris” Grace Erdman is headed for the infinite Lambeau Field in the great beyond. She died peacefully on June 26, 2024, after a brief hospital stay.

Chris was born on December 5, 1952, in Manitowoc, WI to Willard Valentine Erdman Jr. and Shirley Ann (Kretche) Erdman. Her entire young life was spent among dear friends and Packer fans in Manitowoc. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received her master’s from Cardinal Stritch College. When Chris was 9 years old, her pesky little sister, Julie, was born and was a compelling force for the rest of Chris’ life. They spoke on the phone nearly every day and saw each other regularly.

She was an avid sportswoman, with particular interest in basketball, softball and volleyball. After her amateur sports career ended, she continued as a loyal fan of women’s basketball and for several years attended the women’s NCAA Final Four basketball tournament. She also possessed season tickets to the Green Bay Packers and at least one marriage proposal was due to that fact. Later in life, Chris developed a keen interest in researching genealogy for her family and others. The tremendous piles of papers, binders and notes she leaves behind are a testament to her dedication to her task. In addition, she was interested in women’s music along with traveling on Olivia Travel vacations. Chris had a strong interest in WWII history, making several trips to Europe to visit important historical sites. She had a large collection of Holocaust-related books and always tried to learn more, including taking a trip to Europe sponsored by the Holocaust Museum.

Both Chris and Geri loved their time together in Door County. No visit was complete without stopping for a lobster roll at Boathouse On The Bay or enjoying the view at Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant. She was generous with her time and resources and always ready to lend a hand. Over her lifetime she enjoyed hosting hundreds of Packer parties with friends. Above all else, Chris cherished her role as an overly passionate Green Bay Packers fan.

Professionally, Chris enjoyed a successful career as a Project Coordinator at Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), a Clinical Trials Coordinator at Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Wisconsin Hospital and later as a Project Manager for Clinical Trials at Frontier Science. She loved her work with clinical trials and was a genial and helpful colleague. Her organizational skills and attention to detail served her well at work. She particularly enjoyed recruiting clinical trials patients at the VA Hospital.

Chris loved her niece, nephew, and grandnephews almost as much as she loved the Green Bay Packers. She was a devoted aunt and great-aunt and spent many happy hours with each of them. She followed their activities with great interest and was an active member of their lives.

She is survived by her spouse Geri Torti; her loving sister Julie Anne (Steve) Kubsch; her niece and nephew Erika (Colin) Fiola and Matt (Kristen) Kubsch, grandnephews Pascal, Theodore, and Oliver; and a wide circle of family and friends including lifelong friends Lynne, Betsy, Lana and Jill. Chris was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Will Erdman.

A celebration of Chris’ life will be held at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, WI on October 3, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Inurnment will take place in the Erdman family plot at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc, WI. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Planned Parenthood, or the Holocaust Museum, in honor of Chris’ longtime support of these organizations. Alternatively, a donation could be made to a charity of your choice. Chris’ family and friends would like to thank the F4/6 doctors, nurses and staff at UW Hospital for their exceptionally caring and compassionate efforts towards Chris and their devoted support of our family during her last few days.

“When we think of those companions who traveled by our side down life’s road, let us not say with sadness that they left us behind, but rather say with gentle gratitude that they once were with us.” Author unknown

All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services of Madison is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.866allfaiths.com.