Louise Greisen

Madrienne Louise Greisen was born March 4, 1927, in Centralia, WA. She went peacefully to be with her Lord November 12, 2024, at her home at The Courtyard at Cristwood in Shoreline, WA.

She was the first child of Dwight and Ruth McLaughlin. She grew up in an Assemblies of God pastor’s home in Walla Walla and Tacoma, Washington.  After high school, she attended Central Bible College in Springfield, MO and shortly before her graduation, met Paul Victor Greisen.  They bonded quickly because of their shared desire to serve God, and their love of music. They were astonished to discover that they both played violin. They were married after 4 months of a whirlwind courtship. 

Together, they pastored 3 churches in Idaho and Washington and then made application to become missionaries. Leaving the US on a freighter in July 1960, she and Paul sailed for Hong Kong, with 3 small children and expecting a fourth. Starting Cantonese language study at age 34, she and Paul worked hard to prepare for assignments on the field. After assisting with several missionary projects, she joined Paul in teaching and training pastors and leaders at Ecclesia Bible Institute (EBI) in Shatin, Hong Kong.  Soon their hearts were prompted to find a way to reach the people inside Communist China with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The beginnings of China Radio were in a tiny space above the boys’ dormitory at EBI. They began developing programming, using the talents of local Christians to teach, read the Bible, and evangelize. Reel-to-reel tapes were sent to various transmitters in the Far East to be broadcast by short-wave. China Radio soon needed to build studios and offices in a new location. They produced more than 40 different programs a week, transmitted by shortwave and also medium wave radio from Macau. They received thousands of letters in response to the radio broadcasts. Each letter was personally answered by dedicated staff in the China Radio offices. They knew that people all over China listened in secret. These radio programs were likely their only access to hearing the good news of Jesus Christ. Programs were also designed to encourage leaders of underground churches.  In addition to gospel programming, learning English being highly desired in China, Louise wrote scripts and recorded her own daily program, teaching English. 

In the 1970s, they began to travel into China. Announcements would be made to radio listeners for dates and times that they could be found in person within a Chinese city’s local park. Many people met them in the parks, practicing English, but also asking questions about Christianity.

Louise also spent many years in Hong Kong leading small musical ensemble groups as well as choirs with orchestral musicians in cantatas for Christmas or Easter. She enjoyed being active in Aglow Women’s Ministry throughout the colony. 

In 1990, after 30 years, Louise and Paul felt it was time to return to the US to spend more time with Louise’s aging parents, as well as invest time in the lives of their grandchildren. They accepted the offer of Missions Pastors at Shoreline Community Church where Louise and Paul’s love for people, built connections with the congregation and the many missionaries that the church supported. 

Settled in their home in Bothell, she relished this special time with her parents and siblings, her four children, and growing numbers of grandchildren.  She loved having a place to garden, and hosted many events in this beautiful space.  In 2015, she and Paul moved to Cristwood Park Retirement Community where they found themselves surrounded by caring friends that loved to laugh and enjoy each other’s stories. In August 2019, they celebrated 70 years of marriage, joined by family and friends from far and near. 

After Paul went to be with Jesus in early 2020, Louise continued to be involved in writing classes, exercise classes, the missionary commission, the culinary committee, and the genealogy class.  At 90 years of age, she began to seriously collect her writing, and in early 2024, sent a completed memoir to Dorrance Publishing.  She received the first print of her book, titled No Regrets, just 12 days before her Homegoing to heaven.

She is survived by her four children, Debbie Greisen, Steve (Nelly) Greisen, Heather Greisen, and Marc (Jane) Greisen, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

A private gravesite service will be held on November 21, 2024, at 12:00pm.  A Celebration of Life service will be announced at a later date. 

To order Louise’s book “No Regrets” you may use this link to find it on Amazon:

No Regrets by Louise Greisen