Magdalena Christensen

CHRISTENSEN, JENSEN, PETERSON, JOHNSON, NELLIS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 7/8/2006 at 17:06:14

Earlham Echo - Thursday, March 6, 1947

Magdalena Jensen was born in Denmark, September 28, 1870. She came to America in 1877, settling in Iowa. On October 21, 1887 she was united in marriage with Martin Christensen and to this union were born 12 children. After her marriage she and her husband settled on a farm in Shelby county. After some moves they ultimately established their home on a farm between Earlham and Winterset where they remained until they retired, then they went to Exira where they lived until Mr. Christensen's death, which occurred in 1930. Since that time she has made her home with her daughter, Martha Nellis, of Earlham, often visiting for extended periods with her other children.

At an early age Magdalena joined the Adventist church, to which she remained faithful until her death. While living at her daughters, since she was not near her own church, she fellowshiped with the Earlham Friends church, and especially enjoyed the Bible School class.

Mother's birthday became a family institution, and each year the children, with their families gathered to celebrate and to wish her many happy returns of the day. She especially enjoyed these joyous occasions with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren about her. This last year she had been in failing health, and since December 16 had been bedfast. During this illness her days were brightened by the very frequent visits of her children and many relatives, neighbors and friends, her children were all with her in the last days and gave her all the care that loving hands and hearts could give.

On the morning of February 27 at three o'clock at the home of her daughter Martha, Mother heard her summons and quietly passed away to join her husband and three daughters, Sophia, Sena and Hannah, who had preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn her passing four sons, Jim of Exira, Otto of St. Charles, Chris of Winterset and Nels of Fontanelle; five daughters, Christina Peterson of Guthrie Center, Emma Christensen of Greenfield, Mary Johnson of Exira, Esther Peterson of Audubon, and Martha Nellis of Earlham; thirty-nine grandchildren and thirty-five great grandchildren, besides unnumbered friends.