Mary Christoffer
Mary Ellen Christoffer, age 90, of Lansing, died Sunday evening, June 8, 2025 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. As per her wishes, cremation will be fulfilled. A Celebration of Life Service was held Saturday, June 14 at Christ Community Church in New Albin. The service was officiated by Pastor Ethan Larson.
The daughter of Carl and Agnes (Sheriff) Ellefson, Mary was born September 11, 1934 in Iowa City.
Mary was united in marriage with Herbert Bailey in 1951 and had seven children. They later divorced. Mary was united in marriage with Laverne (Chris) Christoffer May 18, 1974 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
Mary grew up and attended Lansing Elementary School in Lansing. She was a lifetime member and past president of the Lansing VFW Auxiliary.
Mary was known to many as “Fishing Machine”, as she had a passion for the outdoors. She was a commercial fisherwoman and once owned and operated Herb & Mary’s Bait Shop. Alongside her husband, Chris, they also operated the M & M Fish Market, and a café in Lansing. Summers were spent traveling to various county fairs in the tri-state area with their cherished fish stand.
When she wasn’t fishing, trapping, or hunting, she was in the kitchen baking pies and cooking hearty meals. She never turned down a good game of cards and often left others in her wake.
Mary is survived by five children: Barbara (Mark) Fore of Lansing, Michael (Becky) Bailey of Lansing, Mary Hoehne of Galveston, TX, Sherry Christoffer of Des Moines and Ann (Cori) Christoffer of Gays Mills, WI; her brother, Robert Ellefson, and half-sister, Lois (Gene) Scott; 21 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Agnes; her husband, Laverne ‘Chris’ Christoffer; her son, Herbert Bailey, Jr.; her son, Gary Bailey; her brother, Louis Ellefson; her sister, Lilly May Ellefson; her half-sisters, Roxanne Jones and Dianna “Dee” Garrow; her grandson, Jeff Lewison; her beloved dog, Shorty; and her first husband, Herb Bailey.
Gone fishing - forever in our hearts.
