CHRISTENSEN, Ann A. (1910-2004)

CHRISTENSEN, MEENK, HOFTIEZER, LAMMERS

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/10/2016 at 18:09:25

Ann A. Christensen, 1910-2004

August 18, 2004

Ann Christensen, 94, of Woden, died on Friday, August 13, 2004, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 17, at the First Presbyterian Church in Woden with Judy Junkermeier, lay pastor, officiating. Music was provided by organist, Doris Leeck who accompanied soloist, Bruce Wubben and congregational hymns. Lamont Junkermeier ushered.

Casket bearers were Don Isebrand, Roger Wood, Bob Lorenzen, Don Weiland, Marlin Cromwell, Paul Gerdes, Ron Dahle and Everett Brock. Burial was in the Bingham Township Cemetery, south of Woden. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Woden was in charge of the arrangements.

Ann Angeline Christensen, the daughter of John and Johanna (Meenk) Hoftiezer was born on May 16, 1910 at Castlewood, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed, learning both the German and English Catechism, at the Bemis Presbyterian Church in rural Castlewood. She started country school near Castlewood at the age of 4 to learn the English language.

Ann came to Iowa in 1930 where she met her future husband, Charles Christensen. They were married on November 14, 1934, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She worked at Schelfbein Grocery for two years, Orthel Grocery Store for ten years and was clerk at the Woden Post Office from 1950 to 1972. Ann and Charlie lived their entire married life in Woden.

She was known to many as Mother Ann and Grandma Ann. Ann enjoyed her grandson, his wife, her great-grandchildren, her church and community and most of all, helping other people.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Woden, where she was the first woman Elder in the church and was active as a Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent and was past President and Secretary of the Presbyterian Women. She was also the Clerk of Session of the Woden Presbyterian Church for 23 years and was honored as an Outstanding Elder of the church.

She belonged to the Woden Ladies Auxiliary serving as past President, Woden Senior Citizens being named Outstanding Senior Citizen in 1984 and was a Gold Star Mother. Ann was one of the organizers of the first Woden Public Library. She was voted Woden's Centennial Queen in July of 1999 and was nominated and received the Giving Your Best Award sponsored by the local TV station and sponsors in the year 2000.

Survivors include her grandson, Dallas Christensen and wife, Deanna and their children, Jessica, Michelle and Jacob all of Britt; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie on October 16, 1974; her parents; a son, Leon; son and daughter-in-law, Curtis and Barb Christiansen. Also preceding her in death were her brothers, Albert, Dick, Herman, John, Harry and Arey Hofteizer; and a sister, Jennie Lammers.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004