Christensen, Margaret Rose (Darnell) (1926 - 2023)

CHRISTENSEN, DARNELL, HANSEN, WEDDUM, MADSEN, JOHNSON, FLETCHER, REDMAN, HEWITT, BENSON, HULL

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 2/24/2023 at 15:53:00

Name of deceased: Margaret Rose Christensen (née Darnell)

Aged: 96 yrs, 9 mo, 7 days

Residence: Hansen House Assisted Living, Harlan, IA

Born: April 23, 1926; rural Holt County, NE

Died: Jan. 30, 2023; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Monday, Feb. 6, 2023; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IA; burial was in the Jacksonville Cemetery, IA

Survived by: Children, Kathlyn Janelle (spouse, Timothy) Hansen of Clarinda, IA, Marilyn Mardelle Weddum of Atlantic, IA, Evelyn Jean Madsen of Grimes, IA, Orvie Lee “Toby” of Kimballton, IA, Mark Eugene (spouse, Cindi) of Polk City, IA, and Thomas Kevin of Kimballton, IA; sisters-in-law, Mary Johnson of Council Bluffs, IA and Joyce Christensen of Coon Rapids, IA; grandchildren, Kristin Weddum, Todd (spouse, Shelli) Weddum, Bradley (spouse, Jenny) Madsen, Amanda (spouse, Justin) Fletcher, Luke (spouse, Heather) Hansen, Zach Redman and Nickolas Christensen; 10 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, George Calvin and Hester Susan (nee Hewitt) Darnell; husband of more than 75 years, Orvie; parents-in-law, Nels Ejnar and Martha (nee Hansen) Christensen; son, Michael Jon (1958-1977); brothers, Donald, Delbert and Darrell Darnell; sisters, Dorothy Benson and Mildred Hull; brothers-in-law, Clifford and Dale Christensen

Education: Graduated from Audubon (IA) High School with a Normal Training Teacher’s Certificate in 1943

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at Ebeneezer Lutheran Church, Audubon County, in 1945. Long-time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IA

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Orvie Emmet Christensen; Dec. 13, 1945; Atlantic, IA

Employment: Upon her graduation from high school, Margaret began teaching at age of 17 in Douglas Township, Audubon County, IA. After her marriage, she worked as a farmer’s wife, helping in the fields, raising their children, and tending her large garden, canning and freezing foods.

Hobbies/Interests: Was an excellent cook; she enjoyed reading, writing, playing cards and working puzzles. In the 1970s, she became involved with genealogy, researching and compiling books of her and Orvie’s family history and life on the farm. She was instrumental in starting the family history center at the Danish Museum in Elk Horn, IA and was merited for giving 1000 volunteer hours. She enjoyed helping others with research, and made countless new friends across the country. She was considered a genealogy expert and an articulate writer who co-authored or contributed to local community history books as well as compiling a dozen or more Darnell/Christensen ancestry books. She enjoyed traveling to various states, cemeteries, history centers, courthouses, and any other place she thought may provide research information.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com