Marian Louise Ellstrom (Cookie) Christiansen

CHRISTIANSEN, ELLSTROM, HARBUTTE, PERCICH

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 9/14/2015 at 15:52:32

Marian Louise Ellstrom (Cookie) Christiansen

Cookie was born the third child of James and Grace Ellstrom in Chicago, Illinois on February 23, 1933. She moved to Ft. Dodge, Iowa in 1936. She attended Butler Elementary and Ft. Dodge Senior High School where she graduated in 1951. Cookie and Dean got married June 5, 1954 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Ft. Dodge.

In 1969 the Christiansen family moved to Iowa City. Cookie got a job at the University of Iowa Hospital. She then worked for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Gary Hughes, deputized Cookie and she became the first female deputy in Johnson County. She worked primarily in the Civil Department, but occasionally she would serve as matron to the female prisoners.

In 1995 she retired from the Sheriff’s office. When Cookie retired she stayed busy and didn’t really quit work. Cookie worked at Pearson’s where she helped with seasonal work. She was also employed for the 2000 Census Bureau and worked most of the elections at her precinct.
She kept busy and productive her whole life and loved to serve others. Cookie was truly a unique person. She loved life, her family and friends. She was always available to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it.

She went to be with the Lord August 3, 2015. We know she is in heaven and safe and happy with Jesus.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years Dean Christiansen and her brother Jamie Ellstrom.

She was survived by her two sisters; Betty Harbutte and Sandy Percich; her son David, his wife Marcia and their two children Isaac and Netana, her daughter Linda and many nieces and nephews.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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