Chris Yo Lambrecht

     Chris Yo Lambrecht passed away peacefully at Arbor Grove Assisted Living in Alma, Michigan, on May 17, 2026.  She was 96 years old.
     Chris was born on October 25, 1929, in Hokkaido, Japan, the daughter of Hatsutaro and Kane Takenaka. She met Dale Lambrecht while working at the PX when he was stationed in Japan as an MP in the army. They were married in 1957. She spent most of her life in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she raised two sons, Tom and Tim.
    Chris was a private person who found satisfaction in hard work and the simple pleasures in life. In addition to being a homemaker, she was a highly praised worker at the Hansen Glove factory. Later, she started her own successful business as a seamstress and clothing designer.
     Her life was one of self-enforced purpose and a relentless work ethic. A typical day started with vigorous calisthenics at 5 AM, followed by housecleaning while listening to the radio or TV news. Sewing continued late into the evening while watching television. She continued to work as a seamstress into her eighties and was happiest when gardening, cooking, canning tomatoes and pickles, and filling her freezer with home-grown fruits and vegetables. Later in life, she enjoyed taking classes in watercolor painting.
     At the age of 91, she reluctantly left her home of nearly half a century for Arbor Grove Assisted Living in Alma to be near her son Tim and his wife Anne. She especially enjoyed visits to Tim’s house in warm weather and sitting on the deck looking at the water and wildlife, Family Night Bingo, and Elvis’s annual performances at the Valentine’s Day dinner. The family would like to thank the Arbor Grove staff, past and present, for the wonderful care she received during her five-year stay there.
      She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, ex-husband Dale, and special friend, Bill. Chris is survived by her sons, Tom (Irene) in Canon City, Colorado, and Tim (Anne)in Alma, MI, and her grandsons, John Lambrecht in San Diego, California, and Jacob Lambrecht in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In accordance with her wishes, a private remembrance will be held by the family.
     Memorials can be made to the Alma Community Art Center or the Outagamie County, Wisconsin, Commission on Aging. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Alma, Michigan.