Christine Leanne Steenwyk ("Chris"), 53, of Sugar Grove, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, November 27, 2020 at her home with her family by her side.

Chris was born in Oak Park, IL to Bruce and Arlene (Los) Meyer on September 3 ^rd , 1967. She went to high school at Timothy Christian High School in Elmhurst, IL, graduating in 1985. She went on to earn a BS degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL in 1989, passing the CPA exam in 1990. During college, she worked in the Controller's Office at NIU while going to school, and she took pride in diligently working to put herself through college by working both during school and on her extended breaks. She met Jeff, the love of her life, in June of 1985, at Wheaton CRC church, where both families attended church. They became engaged in August of 1989 (graduating from college the next day) and married in August of 1990.

After NIU, Chris first worked as a staff auditor at Miller, Cooper and Company in Northbrook, IL. In 1993, she went to work for her former client Erie Development in Chicago as the Controller of the company. With Aaron well on his way in August of 1996, she made the initial decision to take some time off. After three months of leave, her replacement quit, and they made her an offer that met her criteria for work/family balance, which was to give her both an office in our house in Rolling Meadows and to give Aaron a nursery downtown, right next to her office. When Erie's business model reorganized, the owner moved to Arizona and started a bread baking company. Chris worked as an independent contractor for the new company and did bookkeeping for a few other clients.

Around 2009, Chris found a new passion to teach as a math and reading assistant at John Shields School in Sugar Grove. While some made comments to her about why she would take a pay cut and waste her CPA, others close to her admired her ability to follow God's calling outside of her normal comfort zone. She remained in the teaching position for over ten years. Even after confirming she had advanced cancer in early 2015, as well as when it progressed to stage IV in 2018, she decided to stay employed. She started two separate summers to work as a cash auditor for the Kane County Cougars, but treatments and side effects of her cancer got in the way both times. She enjoyed the people she worked with, and recognized they added additional support and constant prayers to help her fight against this disease. She moved on to a new adventure in 2019, becoming the Treasurer of Kaneland High School in Maple Park. Because of her strong work ethic, diligence, and strength from God above, she remained as treasurer until a month before her passing.

Chris always enjoyed playing board/card games with others or by herself on her iPad. She took care of the gardening on her fountain in front of the house, to which birds flocked year-round, and she could even watch it from her hospice location. She could be seen holding the babies at all the family events, with her infectious smile showing that her love for children was her greatest passion. To almost the day she died, a child would bring a smile to her face like nothing else on earth, and she considered each one a gift from God. She held the newest member of our family only a week before passing. She loved to plan the family vacations and would organize and pack like no other. When she got married, she noted that she gained a whole new set of family members and planned many trips that had them on the itinerary. Though sick at the time, she still did the planning with the help of our best friends for what would be our last vacation to St. Joseph, MI in July of this year, and it included a visit to some family in Michigan that was priceless.

Chris was an active member of College Church in Wheaton and believed in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ since she was a child, part of her wonderful upbringing. One of her true passions was helping others, as she did throughout her shortened life. She was a Sunday School teacher of two- and three-year-old children for eight years. She was an Awana leader for many years at Orchard Valley Baptist Church in Aurora. She loved to participate in all types of activities at Marklund in Geneva. She was waiting once again to help with the Marklund baseball games, but COVID-19 unfortunately would not let that happen. From the time Aaron joined band in 2008 until Leanne graduated this year, Chris became what was known as a band mom, and spent many hours volunteering in different roles and helping with band camps. She cherished the fact that all three children were active in the arts, plus she really enjoyed the company of the other band moms. She served on the board of the Lakes of Bliss Woods for fourteen years, ten of which were as Board President. She frequently helped with the Sugar Grove Corn Boil in whatever way she was asked to help and met many of our friends by volunteering for that event. She also would always lend a hand to those needing help with taxes, finances, and just being there when family and friends also got ill, even while she was battling the awful disease that took her life. Immediately prior to her own health issues, she was Aaron's best advocate on earth in his battle against a brain tumor starting his senior year of high school.

Chris is survived by her husband, Jeff, of Sugar Grove, and their three children: Aaron, Garrett, and Leanne; her father and mother, Bruce and Arlene of Winfield, IL; her father-in-law Al Steenwyk of Huntsville, AL; her siblings Dave and Jenny (Jorden) Meyer of Wheaton and sister Cindy (Otto) Heinz of Oswego; her sisters-in-law Cathy Steenwyk of Lawrenceville, GA and Patti (Mark) Palmer of Harvest, AL; brother-in-law Gary Steenwyk of Glen Rock, PA, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother-in-law Frances (Ruit) Steenwyk and sister-in-law Cheryl (Ledo) Steenwyk.

Because of COVID-19, a Memorial Service will be held privately on Thursday, May 27 at 3:30 P.M. A Livestream Video link is available HERE for those unable to join in person.

PLEASE no flowers for Chris. Instead, consider donating or volunteering in her memory.  These were her very words: "Charities are hurting this time of year, especially in 2020. Until every food bank in the area has more food than they need, please don't send flowers on my behalf." Please do not feel any obligation to donate, as Chris valued time spent with her more than anything else.

Memorial donations may be made to:
Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, Illinois 60134
Make a Donation - Marklund

College Church of Wheaton
Attn: Children's Ministries
332 E Seminary Ave
Wheaton, IL 60187

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the friends that helped us along the way, especially those that made frequent visits, cancelled plans of their own and expected nothing in return, to assist Chris and Jeff with the medical issues that impacted the family the last seven years of her life. Chris was blessed to have you in her life. We are also thankful for the hospice care that provided her comfort at the very end.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.