Christine (Chris) A. Kahn of Sauk City passed away suddenly at Sauk Prairie Healthcare on Friday, October 11, 2024 after a brief illness. The daughter of Alexander and Elaine (Johannes) Osmanski, she was born in Chicago on December 28, 1949, grew up in Cary, IL, and graduated from Cary-Grove High School.

A voracious reader at a young age and a true believer in the power of knowledge and education, Chris ventured off to UW-Platteville in pursuit of becoming a librarian or elementary teacher. There, she was introduced to Dennis (Denny) Kahn by mutual friends in the fall of 1970. Much to his chagrin and true to Chris's navigation of life on her own timeline, they had their first date on April 30, 1971. The spark was sparked, and Denny's timeline quickly took over. He popped the question just over two months later during a Cubs' game, ironically on Independence Day, and their marriage of 52 years began on June 24, 1972.

Denny's teaching jobs and parenthood diverted Chris's post-college plans, but her passion and perseverance played out in a multitude of ways, leaving lasting impacts on the communities where they lived and the many lives she touched.

When Black Earth, WI was home base for almost a decade for the young family, she held local government accountable as a newspaper reporter, started a softball league when girls were turned away from joining Little League, served as Sunday School superintendent to support Our Savior's Lutheran Church's religious education program, and volunteered as a library aide at Black Earth Elementary to pass along her joy of books to young readers.

Eventually moving to Denny's childhood home in 1986, the family settled in Sauk City, WI where Chris continued to make an impact. She was a quiet but powerful behind-the-scenes supporter of Sauk Prairie Schools' music programs and Denny's many music educator exploits. Whether holding down the family fort during Mr. Kahn's Sauk Prairie Middle School show choir, concert, and Solo and Ensemble seasons, loyally attending each and every performance for her two children as a Sauk Prairie Music Parent, volunteering time and traveling thousands of miles as a Show Choir Head Chaperone, or staunchly advocating for Sauk Prairie Music Association's development of the River Arts Center and River Arts, Inc., Chris did it all with patience and grace.

Even more impressive is that Chris accomplished all of that in her community while building a career and strengthening the retail and insurance workforce in the customer service industry. Beginning as a seasonal, part time associate at the Sears catalog desk in West Towne, she worked her way up, becoming a trusted and valuable secretary and trainer in their Customer Service Department. Chris eventually transitioned to a new customer service role at Unity Health Plans in Sauk City, supporting their training programs, writing manuals, onboarding staff, and delivering training at Unity and benefits presentations all over the state. Planning "lessons" and "teaching" were in Chris's blood; she just filled her "classroom" with "big kids."

Over the years, Chris traveled all over the country on family road trips and adventures with friends, typically by car and always as either Denny's co-pilot or backseat driver. When she retired from Unity Health Plans in 2009 and was asked about her plans, she confidently stated that she was going to stay home and read. By nature, her introverted tendencies and tender heart lent themselves well to these later years. She quietly enjoyed simple pleasures close to home: watching Hallmark movies, reading a never-ending supply of books from the public library, watching her birds, tending to her stunning flower beds and containers, and becoming a proud grandma to a one-of-a-kind granddaughter.

Most important of all, Chris left her mark on the world as a daughter, niece, sister, aunt, mother-figure, animal rescuer, chief worry officer, and dear friend, playing most brilliantly in her starring role as wife, mom, and Nana. She welcomed many extended family, friends of her own, and friends of her kids over the years to the house on Polk Street, quickly making anyone who entered feel at home, surrounding them with seasonal or holiday cheer, providing an overabundance of snacks and sweets, offering a delicious meal, giving a little trinket or gift she ordered with you in mind, and most definitely asking if you wanted a beverage, suspiciously always having on hand the sodas or waters one preferred. You see, Chris was a listener and an observer, and not much escaped her. She had a knack for knowing when someone was struggling or needed a gentle push, always lent an ear, and offered up her helpful perspective and quiet wisdom at just the right moment.

Our hearts ache in her absence, but we'll look and listen for her in birdsong, swaying trees, blooming flowers, and buzzing bees. We'll remember her when we finish a good book, make her famous potato salad, score a great shopping deal, or sit by the warm glow of a Christmas tree. And we'll strive toward matching her generous spirit and belief in social justice and realizing the potential and better angels she saw in each of us.

Chris is survived by her husband Dennis, their children Melissa Kahn and Zachary Kahn (Samantha) of Madison, a heart-stealing granddaughter Frankie Caspa Kahn, Mr. Webster the cat, and her devoted black greyhound Izzy. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Garda Kahn, her brother-in-law Dennis Hogendyk, several cousins, and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Chris had many dear friends, with the dearest of the dear including Jeanne and David Ord, Ron and Jean Giese, Greg and Linda Lorenz, and Deb and Bernie Schroeder. Those friends' kids and grandkids held a special place in Chris's heart too.

Chris was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law, maternal and paternal grandparents, her Aunt Barb and Uncle Harry, Aunt Arlene and Uncle Ray, her sister Kathy Hogendyk, her brothers-in-law David and Robert Kahn, sister-in-law Mary Kahn Risberg, and a menagerie of beloved cats and dogs.

Dennis and the family would like to thank Drs. Mary Campbell and John Koch, along with the staff at both Maplewood and Sauk Prairie Healthcare for the care they afforded Chris over the years.

Chris didn't wish to have a formal service of any kind. As warmer weather and the blooms return late next spring or early summer, an informal, small-ish, laid-back gathering in fellowship and celebration, including taco dip and homemade cookies, will likely be planned. Chris might be mad about that, but she won't hate it.

In lieu of flowers and if the spirit moves you, please consider making a donation in Chris's name or otherwise looking for ways to support your local public library, public schools and their music programs, or any animal rescue organization, especially those that prioritize black dogs. And no matter what, Chris would ask each and every one of you to exercise the right to vote and let your voice be heard in our democratic process.