Irene Christensen, 87, Albert Lea

Staff

Published Thursday, October 30, 2003

The funeral service for Irene H. Christensen of Good Samaritan Center, Albert Lea, formerly of Freeborn, was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Oct. 22, at the Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ. The Rev. Cherie Daniel officiated. Interment was in the Freeborn Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Irene went to her heavenly home on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center. She was 87.

She was born on Oct. 21, 1915, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Henry and Thea (Jensen) Severtson.

She grew up and attended Ramsey School in Albert Lea. As a young woman she was a caretaker for several people, and also worked at Sweets in Freeborn.

On May 18, 1940, she married George A. Christensen at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Following their marriage they lived near Freeborn until purchasing their own farm north of Freeborn in 1940. In addition to being a farm wife Irene also had worked at Kenny's Cafe for several years, and at Birdseye in Waseca for I I years. In 1983, they retired and moved into Freeborn. George died in 1985.

Due to failing health, Irene moved into the Good Samaritan Center in 1995.

Irene was a member of the Freeborn United Congregational Church where she had taught Sunday School and had been active in circle and women's fellowship.

Irene enjoyed gardening and sewing. She was a hardworking farm wife, a loving wife and mother, and thoroughly enjoyed her grand and great-grandchildren.

Irene is survived by two daughters: Shirley and her husband David Wolfe of Cook, Minn., and Nancy and her husband Gene Millang of Freeborn; three grandchildren: Daniel Wolfe and his wife Janis of Jenkins, Minn., Debra and her husband Chuck Jansen of Good Thunder, and Thomas Wolfe of Mankato; great-grandchildren: Jesse Wolfe of Minnetonka, Minn., Nick Wolfe of Jenkins, Minn., Kellie Ann, Molly Ann and Kayla Louise Jansen of Good Thunder; a sister, Marjorie Severtson of Albert Lea; aunts: Edna Severtson and Ruby Severtson, both of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law: Lois Brown of Albert Lea, and Ruth and her husband Dick Grover of Wisconsin; brothers-in-law: Lester Christensen of Alden, and Irving Christensen and his wife Frances of Motley, Minn., and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George A. Christensen, great-grandson, Kyle David Jansen; brothers: Raymond Severtson and Don Severtson and his wife Marvel; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

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