Adele Marie Christensen 1916-2009

CHRISTENSEN BETH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 1/7/2010 at 21:12:26

Sioux City Journal
6 September 2009

SIOUX CITY - Adele Christensen, 92, of Onawa, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, at Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Faith Lutheran Church in Onawa, with Pastor Steven Hetzel officiating. Burial will be in Onawa Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Adele Marie Christensen was born Oct. 17, 1916, in Sioux Township, Monona County, Iowa, the daughter of Chris and Irma (Beth) Christensen. She graduated from Onawa High School in 1934 with a normal training certificate.

Adele began her teaching career in 1935 in Monona County country schools. In 1941, she received a two-year teacher certificate from Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and in 1949, a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She started teaching in the Sioux City School System in 1947; first at Hobson School and later at Lincoln Elementary School, where she retired as kindergarten teacher in 1983. Adele received many teaching honors during her career and was especially proud to receive "Teacher of the Year."

She remained very active after retirement. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and was a very willing worker. Among her interests was quilting, and she completed gifts of 150 quilts to her many family members and friends.

Survivors include two brothers, Ralph (Bernadine) Christensen of Onawa, and Dr. Raymond (Cathy) Christensen of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.; a sister, Pearl Wilson of Missouri Valley, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Viola Christensen in infancy and Bernice Halliday; and a brother, Lawrence Christensen.