Thelma Christenson, 83
You have been sent this article from John Herdan
Bud Christensen's wife, Janet's ('67) mom, and JHS teacher.
- 11/18/2009
Thelma Jessie Christenson, 83, Glenwood, died Friday, November 13, 2009, at her home. A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 19 at 3 p.m. at Glenwood Lutheran Church in Glenwood with the Rev. Krista Lee officiating.
Thelma was born November 6, 1926 in Glenwood, the first child of Olof G. and Frances M. (Hughes) Hausken. She was baptized and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran Church and was a member of Glenwood Lutheran Church at the time of her death. Thelma sang soprano in the Glenwood High School choir and quartet and graduated as valedictorian of her class.
She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield and was one of very few to sing with the St. Olaf Choir for all four years of her college tenure. Thelma graduated from St. Olaf Collage magna cum laude in 1948 with a double major in chemistry and mathematics. She taught briefly in Sisseton, SD in 1948, before marrying L.E. “Bud” Christenson, her high school sweetheart, on January 29, 1949 at Glenwood Lutheran Church.
Thelma and Bud lived in Echo for two years and then moved to Hector, where Thelma taught chemistry until 1957. Thelma finished her teaching career at the Alexandria high school, where she taught mathematics for 20 years. Thelma was a long-time member of the Euterpean Club, Sweet Adelines and sang in the First Lutheran and Calvary Lutheran Church choirs in Alexandria, where she and her family were members. Beginning at age 10, she was a soloist at church services, weddings and funerals all over the area. Thelma also sang in many musical productions, including singing the lead as Marian the Librarian in the local production of the musical “The Music Man.”
She was a kind, gentle and patient teacher, wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. Thelma is survived by her four children, Janet (John II) Rahm of North Oaks, Steven (Sally) Christenson of Holmes City, Ruth Christenson of Kandiyohi, and Peter Christenson of Nelson; two grandsons, John H. (Kelsi) Rahm III and Peter A. Christenson II; great-granddaughter, Freya L Rahm; sister, Nola (Jerry) Mathre of Rockport, TX; brother, Chester “Chet” (Irene) Hausken of Yakima, WA; sisters-in-law, Velva Jo Hausken of Stillwater, Arnell Christenson of Foley, and LaVonne (Herman) Talle of Anoka; a brother-in-law, Rolf (Marlene) Mohwinkel of Buffalo; special friend, Pat Kelleher of Glenwood and his family; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 52 years, Bud; brother, Walter “Bud” Hausken; brother-in-law, W. Leslie Christenson; sister-in-law, LaVine Mohwinkel; and two nieces, Miriam “Mimi” Greening and Ann Talle.
Thelma’s family wishes to thank the staff of Glenwood Estates and Pope County Hospice for their loving care of Thelma and for supporting the family. The family respectfully requests memorials be directed to Pope County Hospice, 10 SE 4th Ave, Glenwood, MN 56334. Online condolences to the family may be directed to www.
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