Obituary of Christine M. Croteau

Christine Croteau, 85, of Greeley, went home to be with her Lord on October 8, 2023, surrounded by her family.   She was born to George and Rosemary (Dittler) Applehans on October 21, 1937, in Sterling, Colorado.  During her lifetime she was a devoted Catholic attending St Mary’s Catholic Church as often as the weather or her health would allow.   

Christine grew up and attended school in Sterling, Colorado.  It was at a local dance where she met a handsome young man traveling through Northern Colorado with a buddy.  It was love at first sight.  Christine married the love of her life, Solon “Pierre” Croteau on September 6, 1956, in Sacramento, California.  She and Pierre spent 62 years devoted to each other until his passing in 2019.  We are sure that a joyous reunion occurred as they once again are in each other’s arms.

Christine worked in various places as an LPN and ultimately attended cosmetology school and owned and operated her own salon, Christine’s Boutique, for 30 plus years in Greeley.  During these years she had many ladies that faithfully visited her for all their beauty needs. Many of the best conversations with her family occurred, in her salon, while getting their hair cut, colored, or curled.  In addition to creating beautiful hair styles, she also sold Mary Kay products.

Christine and Pierre owned and piloted their own Cessna airplane in the early 1970’s.   She would often pilot solo trips to Sterling with her sisters and other family members.  In her younger years she loved to travel (U.S. and internationally), square dance, make ceramics, water and snow ski and play her baby grand piano.  She also enjoyed spending time with her family at their property on Storm Mountain that was hand built by Pierre and her boys.  In her later years she loved watching and feeding the squirrels at her home, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Christine was a proud member of the Greeley Elks Club, Weld County Pilots Association and St. Mary Catholic Church.

Christine is survived by her children; Teresa (Lee) Hendrikson, Brenda Croteau, Donna (Gary) Krautschun, Buddy (Debbie) Croteau and Rick (Tammy) Croteau;  12 grandchildren; James (Shiloh) Corbett, Shawn (Jamie) Corbett, Christopher (Tiffany) Corbett,  Brandon (Teri) Croteau, Bret (Dazzery) Kelso, Jonathan (Andra) Webster,  Robert (Starr) Webster, Shonna (Brian) Gray, Jennifer Croteau, Heather Croteau, Dr. Meghan (Jason) Fels and Tyler (Michaela) Croteau; 18 great-grandchildren; Brayden, Hailey, Landon, Nicholas, Oliver, Calvin, Finnegan, Mariah, Carter, Sidney, Xoey-Jo, Ethyn, Rocco, Hudson, R.J., Lionel, Madison and Carter; and her two sisters; Madeline Zuhlke and Delores Flesner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and three siblings: Rosemary, Barbara Jean and George. 

Visitation will be held from 4-6 pm Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47^th Ave in Greeley with a Recitation of the Rosary to begin at 6:00 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Friday, October 20, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greeley.  Reception to immediately follow at Adamson Life Celebration Home.  Interment will be, alongside her husband, at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 12 noon. 

Memorial gifts may be made to “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital” in care of Adamson, 2000 47^th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.  Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares.com.