Mary B. Christensen

Mary B. Christensen, 90, of St. Paul, died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in St. Paul. The Revs. Martha Voigt and Joel Rathbun will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Christensen was born on May 19, 1920, on a farm near Cotesfield, the daughter of Carl and Inez (Bradley) Nielsen. She was united in marriage to Robert N. Christensen on March 24, 1944, at Cotesfield. He preceded her in death on Oct. 27, 1988. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Ronna Christensen and Gordy and Jennifer Christensen, all of St. Paul; three daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Bob Epperson of Blair, Jody and Rick Lane of Omaha and Barbara and Roger Winkler of Omaha. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and spouses, Kenneth and Eleanor Christensen of St. Paul, Willard and Marianne Christensen of Omaha and Wendell Christensen of Kansas City, MO; sister-in-law, Dorothy Powell of Kewanee, IL; and many nieces and nephews. Mary grew up on the family farm and attended Howard and Greeley County rural schools. She was a 1938 graduate of Scotia High School and then attended Kearney State Teachers College. She taught for several years in area rural schools. After her marriage to Bob the couple lived in Greeley County. While he served in the military she lived with her parents until his return. The couple farmed in the Fairdale area north of St. Paul until 1957, when they began farming east of St. Paul. In 1966, they moved into St. Paul where she worked at Havlik’s Grocery Store for several years. She then began her career as a social worker for the Howard County Welfare Service until her retirement. After Bob’s death she continued to make St. Paul her home the rest of her life. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women – Martha Circle, Handy Gals Extension Club, as well as, several card clubs. Mary enjoyed cooking, baking and entertaining her family and friends. She loved her family and the time they spent together. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Leslie Marie Lane; a sister, Edna Anderson; and a brother, Melvin O. Nielsen. Memorials are suggested to Valley County Hospice, Howard County Medical Center Auxiliary or to the donor’s choice.