Gwendolyn “Gwen” C. Christensen, 92, of Blooming Prairie passed away Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.

Gwendolyn Carvel Olson was born March 11, 1927, in Freeborn County to Gilford and Virginia (Miller) Olson. She attended school in Freeborn and graduated in 1945.

On Jan. 9, 1945, Gwen was united in marriage to John Christensen at her parents’ home. To this union three children were born. After graduation and her marriage to John, Gwen moved to Chicago and worked in a defense plant while John served his country in the Navy during World War II. Upon John’s discharge, the couple moved to Hartland and in 1959 they moved to Blooming Prairie, where John worked for Lysne Construction and Gwen worked while in Blooming Prairie at Blooming Prairie Public Schools and Continental Phone Co.

She loved dancing and playing cards, especially bridge  — she belonged to several bridge clubs. Gwen enjoyed golfing, hardanger, traveling, making lefsa and was an avid reader — she liked to read the Bible. She especially loved spending time with her family and had fond memories of her childhood-like tobogganing down “potato hill.”

Survivors include her son, Jeffrey (Sonja) Christensen, of Algona, Iowa; two daughters, Pamela Folkens of Blooming Prairie and Jennifer Milton of Blooming Prairie; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, James (Sharon) Olson, of Hartland; and sister, Kathryn (Duane) Spooner, of Hartland.

She was preceded in death by her parents Gilford and Virginia Olson; husband, John Christensen, in 2004; sons-in-law Philip Milton and Lee Folkens; and brothers Leslie (Dolores) Olson and Stanley Olson in childhood.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Hartland Cemetery in Hartland. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie or Hartland Cemetery. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.