Obituary of Edna Christensen

Edna Elvera Christensen was born August 23, 1919, the daughter of Aaron and Sigrid Schorling Segerhammar. She passed away Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of ninety-two. Edna was born in Burdick, Kansas, and baptized in Christ on October 30, 1919, at Hebron Lutheran Church in Hebron, Kansas, and confirmed in 8th grade at Salem Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska. She received her education in the Lindsborg, Kansas Schools graduating with the class of 1937. She attended Bethany College for two years in Lindsborg and then taught elementary school at Indian Creek Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, and Canton, Kansas. Her love of reading, especially children's books, made her next job of school librarian most enjoyable. She was united in marriage to Grenville M. Christensen on May 30, 1946, in Longmont, Colorado. The couple made their home in Rock Island, Illinois, briefly until Grenville graduated from Seminary. The couple was blessed with the birth of five children. She was a devoted Lutheran Pastor's wife, supporting her husband's calling in many ways, as they served congregations in Marshalltown, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; Greeley, Colorado; and Stromsburg, Nebraska. Edna loved to read, play piano, knit, bake her famous Swedish rye bread and Vitabrod, and sing in the choir at Salem Lutheran in Nebraska. She enjoyed collecting poems, scripture, and helpful little sayings and assisting neighbors and friends. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. Coming from a rich Christian heritage with her father, two brothers, and numerous other extended family members serving as pastors, family ties were very special and important to her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Grenville in 2006; one daughter, Susan in 1972; one son-in-law, Tim; three sisters: Ruth and Helen in infancy, and Louise and her husband, Rev. Martin; four brothers: Art; Rev. Carl and his wife, Ruth; George; and Rev. Robert. She is survived by two sons: James and his wife, Linda; and Stanley and his wife, Lynn; two daughters: Joan and Janice; four grandchildren: Brian and his wife, Katie; Becky and her husband Mitch; Lee and Sonia; three great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Violet, and Jasper; one sister, Irene; two sister-in-laws: Jan and Frances; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday at Bethany Lutheran Church at 2:00PM with burial following at Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg. Memorials may be designated to the family in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington PO Box 386 Lindsborg, KS 67456. Online condolences at www.ChristiansFuneralHome.com