Joyce M. Christensen, 77 of Galena, IL, passed away Monday, March 2, 2026, at her home. A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 1 PM at Prairie Ridge, Galena, IL. Burial will be at a later date. The Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena is assisting the family.

She was born January 10, 1949, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of John Jr. and Joan (Plotzke) Diehl. Joyce graduated from Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, IL, in 1967. She attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and later earned her Bachelor of Science in business from National Louis University. She married Larry Christensen in 1967, and he preceded her in death in 2014. Joyce was employed as an auto parts manager for many years until her retirement in 2015. She spent her years in Hoffman Estates and Elgin before finally settling in Galena in 2023. Joyce loved the fine arts, painting, traveling, baseball, and hockey. She was an avid collector of antique dolls.

Joyce is survived by her brother, John III (Penny) Diehl; sister-in-law, Lisa (John) Hoffman; brother-in-law, John Christensen; nieces and nephews, Jay, Rebekah, Sarah, Lindsay, Matthew, and Holly; and nine grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Online condolences may be left for the family at  www.furlongfuneralchapel.com