Christine Mary (Wampler) Treutel passed away peacefully on June 15, 2026, surrounded by family at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin following a short but dignified battle with cancer.

Chris was born on August 24, 1956, in Marshfield, Wisconsin—daughter of Grace (née Manthy) and Marion Wampler—the youngest of six children.

Growing up in Marshfield, she attended the Columbus Catholic School System, and shared memories of goofing off with her school friends when the nuns turned their backs. As a teenager, Chris worked at her parents’ family restaurant in Marshfield, The Sweet Shop, along with her siblings. This brought out a sense of helpfulness, hard work, and bringing people together over homemade food that carried throughout her life.

Coming of age in the 1970s, her first concert was David Bowie’s St. Paul stop on his Diamond Dogs Tour. Chris attended UW Stevens Point, enjoyed music, playing pool, and was an on-air host at a local radio station.

As a young adult, Chris moved to Wisconsin Rapids where she began a career in the financial services industry, and met her husband, Terry. A part of his life he often recalls as “the best thing that ever happened to him.” They married on June 8, 1985, in an outdoor celebration, dancing to a live band with family and friends.

In 1990, while living in Milwaukee, Chris and Terry welcomed twin daughters, Samantha and Elizabeth—now one of seven sets of twins in the Wampler family. Two years later, shortly after the family had relocated to Green Bay, her only son Lucas was born. In 1993, the family moved to Portage, where Chris and Terry delighted in raising their three children.

She juggled the competing priorities of being a working mom with grace and patience. Chris earned her bachelor’s degree in business, majoring in finance, from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in 2000, graduating magna cum laude while at the same time serving as Girl Scout troop leader and chaperoning school field trips. After earning her degree, Chris continued working in finance-related roles and retired in 2022 after 20 years of service with the SSM Dean Health System corporate office.

Chris relished the simple yet profound joys in life—controlling the chaos of family camping trips; baking with her kids and grandkids; thoughtfully and generously celebrating every birthday, holiday, and important milestone; sipping a hot cup of black coffee; walking in nature with Terry and their adored English Spring Spaniels; admiring Black Eyed Susans or picking wild berries at their favorite county park; and (more frequently in her empty nest phase) sitting down on the sofa and relaxing with a good book and her cat on her lap.

Chris was open-minded socially, politically, and spiritually. She was deeply engaged in current events. She kept up with local, national, and world news and was interested in sports of all kinds, becoming a fan of hockey and women’s basketball earlier this year. She enjoyed traveling with her children and was an avid supporter of local public radio.

In 2017 and 2022 she was blessed with grandchildren Isaac and Nova, respectively. She found great joy in spending time with them, whether it was reading books, learning a new board game, rocking them during a nap, or getting down on the floor to play. After she retired, “Fridays with Grandma” became a cherished ritual that will be recalled with immense gratitude and fondness. Chris was also a doting pet grandma to Maggie, Kimber, Olive, Molly, and Charlee—often bringing treats and offering her lap for a snuggle during a visit.

Even after her cancer diagnosis, she worked through her running list of home projects, attended grandkids’ events, walked with her dog, Chase, stayed well-connected with loved-ones, and hosted Christmas with her whole family. Chris proudly maintained her independence, humility, and generosity through the end of her life.

Chris is survived by her husband, Terry; children Samantha Anne Salm, Elizabeth Treutel Callin, and Lucas Marshall Treutel; sons- and daughter-in-law Bobby Salm, Joseph Callin, and Emily Carnahan; grandchildren Isaac John Callin and Nova Grace Callin; sisters Barbara Niehaus, Mary Margaret (Daniel) Blackwood, Karen (Jim) Herzberg, and Kathy Schommer. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Ronald Wampler.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in her name to the English Springer Spaniels Rescue of Wisconsin, or Wisconsin Public Radio.

English Springer Spaniels Rescue America Donation: https://givebutter.com/ESRAdonation

Wisconsin Public Radio Donation: https://give.wpr.org/page/56522/donate/1

Please share your memories of Chris by posting in her guestbook.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee

(608) 849-4513