Frances "Fran" Christensen
September 24, 1937 — March 23, 2010
Frances "Fran" Gloria Christensen, daughter of Hilman and Ester (Jenkins) Tofte, was born on August 24, 1937, in Lansford, North Dakota. She was one of ten children.
On October 9, 1954, Fran was united in marriage to Donald Lee Christensen in Wanatchee, Washington. Five children were born to this union: Richard, Karen, Glenda, Darrel and Dee. Following their wedding, Fran and Donald made their home in Harlan for a short time before moving to Council Bluffs, Iowa. While in Council Bluffs, Fran worked at the 64 Club, the bowling alley, and Ray’s Transfer Co.
Fran’s greatest passion was her family. She always enjoyed attending her children’s sporting events with Don when they would pack food and travel to the events in their motor home. Fran also enjoyed bowling and camping with her family.
Fran loved to spend time in the kitchen, baking and cooking for her family and friends. She was a very talented cook and her family always enjoyed sharing a meal with her, especially during Christmas, which was Fran’s favorite holiday. When cooking, Fran used many ingredients from her own garden or fruit trees. Those ingredients that she didn’t use were always canned and saved for another day. Fran was also very proud of her flowers. She spent many afternoons tending to her flowerbeds and watching the butterflies.
Fran died on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at her home having attained the age of seventy-two years, six months, and twenty-seven days. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; her son, Darrel; her siblings: Lola; Otis; Marian; Al; and Ellen.
She is survived by her children: Richard Christensen and his wife Dee; Karen Christensen all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Glenda and her husband Steve Faurot of Omaha, Nebraska; Dee and her husband Kevin Crouse of McClelland, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; her siblings: Mavis and her husband Don Baker of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Darlene and her husband Hank Best of Clark Fk., Idaho; Danny Tofte and his wife Elizabeth and Judy O’Neil all of Spokane, Washington; her sisters-in-law: Carol Christensen of Harlan, Iowa; Carol Christensen of Loveland, Colorado; Joanne and her husband Norman Mathiasen and Barbara Hansen all of Harlan, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Dr. David G. Swinton officiating the 2:30 PM service. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery with Scott Mathiasen and Craig Christensen acting as honorary casket bearers. Serving as casket bearers were: Tim Hansen, Matthew Christensen, David Hansen, Jay Christensen, Chris Christensen, and Ken Shetler
PDF Printable Version
On October 9, 1954, Fran was united in marriage to Donald Lee Christensen in Wanatchee, Washington. Five children were born to this union: Richard, Karen, Glenda, Darrel and Dee. Following their wedding, Fran and Donald made their home in Harlan for a short time before moving to Council Bluffs, Iowa. While in Council Bluffs, Fran worked at the 64 Club, the bowling alley, and Ray’s Transfer Co.
Fran’s greatest passion was her family. She always enjoyed attending her children’s sporting events with Don when they would pack food and travel to the events in their motor home. Fran also enjoyed bowling and camping with her family.
Fran loved to spend time in the kitchen, baking and cooking for her family and friends. She was a very talented cook and her family always enjoyed sharing a meal with her, especially during Christmas, which was Fran’s favorite holiday. When cooking, Fran used many ingredients from her own garden or fruit trees. Those ingredients that she didn’t use were always canned and saved for another day. Fran was also very proud of her flowers. She spent many afternoons tending to her flowerbeds and watching the butterflies.
Fran died on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at her home having attained the age of seventy-two years, six months, and twenty-seven days. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; her son, Darrel; her siblings: Lola; Otis; Marian; Al; and Ellen.
She is survived by her children: Richard Christensen and his wife Dee; Karen Christensen all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Glenda and her husband Steve Faurot of Omaha, Nebraska; Dee and her husband Kevin Crouse of McClelland, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; her siblings: Mavis and her husband Don Baker of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Darlene and her husband Hank Best of Clark Fk., Idaho; Danny Tofte and his wife Elizabeth and Judy O’Neil all of Spokane, Washington; her sisters-in-law: Carol Christensen of Harlan, Iowa; Carol Christensen of Loveland, Colorado; Joanne and her husband Norman Mathiasen and Barbara Hansen all of Harlan, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Dr. David G. Swinton officiating the 2:30 PM service. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery with Scott Mathiasen and Craig Christensen acting as honorary casket bearers. Serving as casket bearers were: Tim Hansen, Matthew Christensen, David Hansen, Jay Christensen, Chris Christensen, and Ken Shetler
PDF Printable Version
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances "Fran" Christensen, please visit our flower store.