Christen, Beverly Louise (Halverson) 1938 - 2025
CHRISTEN, HALVERSON, TESLOW, ALBERS, WELTON, DOUBEK, HOVEY, MONROE, KUENNEN, RICHARDS
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/28/2025 at 11:08:24
Beverly Christen passed away peacefully on Monday, March 24th, 2025, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa, surrounded by her loving family.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025, at First Lutheran, 604 W. Broadway St., Decorah, with Rev. Michael Wilker presiding. Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., in Decorah. There will be no visitation prior to the service on Monday.
The service will be live streamed at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/0aiF1sdiErI
Beverly Louise Halverson was born August 6th, 1938, in the house across the road from Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church in northern Winneshiek County, the second of five children to Norman and Irene (Teslow) Halverson. As a young girl, she loved spending time with her grandparents on the Teslow farm in Glenwood Township. She received her education in Decorah schools, where she was a cheerleader and named Homecoming Queen of her senior class in 1956. On August 30, 1958, she was united in marriage to Elliott Christen at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. To this union, two children were born, Kyle and Jana.
Elliott’s teaching and coaching career took them to stops in Austin, MN., Northwood-Kensett, IA., and, in 1963, to Newton, IA., where Bev first began her career as administrative assistant at the Jasper County Mental Health Center. In 1970, the family moved home to Decorah, where Elliott continued his teaching, coaching, and administration duties in Decorah schools. Bev also resumed her job here, at the Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center, which spanned 27 years, retiring from there in 1999.
Bev dedicated much of her life as a volunteer at many places and events that were near and dear to her. She was recently recognized for her 4,000 hours of service to the hospital auxiliary at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital, now WinnMed, often manning the information desk and gift shop. Bev took on numerous roles at First Lutheran Church, including church council member, Sunday school teacher, greeter, assisting in the church office when needed, and served many years at the Saturday evening meals there during Nordic Fest. Bev’s Norwegian heritage was very important to her, and she loved Nordic Fest, serving multiple terms on the Board of Directors, working numerous store-front food demonstrations, specializing in Norwegian sweets and desserts. She also sold many Fest programs and buttons for years as well. In 2005, Bev and Elliott were honored as Grand Marshalls of the Parade, and in 2013, she was named the Nordic Fest Skal (Flag) recipient. Bev was one of the original volunteers at the Decorah Food Pantry and also worked the information desk at the Winneshiek County Tourism Center. She enjoyed baking, travelling, and was proud to attend her grandson Carson’s wedding in Milwaukee, in January.
Bev is survived by her husband of 66 years, Elliott, of Decorah, son Kyle (Laura) of Cedar Rapids, and her daughter Jana (Kevin) Albers of Decorah. Two grandchildren, Carson (Katie) Christen of Muskego, Wi., and Jennifer (Shannon) Welton of Palo, IA. Great grandchildren are Brooklyn and Maddux Welton, also of Palo. Two sisters, Phyllis Doubek of Ossian, IA., and Harriet Hovey of Decorah. Nieces, Paulette Doubek of Spillville, IA., Janet Monroe of Ossian, Sandy Runkel of Shoreview, MN., Jody Kuennen of Festina, IA., Lisa Christen of Plymouth, MN., Kari Richards, Rochester, MN., and a nephew, Kevin Hovey of Decorah. Bev is also survived by her special friend, Glenda Wuest of Decorah.
Bev was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, both in infancy, Curtis and Robert Halverson, her mother in-law and father in-law, Ernest and Mildred Christen, four brothers in-law, Jan Christen, Dean Christen, Paul Doubek, and Orlin Hovey, plus a niece, Julie Doubek.
Above all, Bev loved people and truly looked for the good in them. After moving into Wellington Place, Bev was asked if she was interested in playing cards or doing puzzles, and she replied “No, I just like to visit.” And visit she did, bringing happiness and raising the spirits of many residents. But then again, she did that her whole life, no matter where she was or who she met. When you get to heaven and aren’t sure where to go, stop by the information desk. Most likely Bev will be working there.
In accordance with Bev’s wishes, memorials may be written to the family, and mailed to Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., Decorah, IA 52101. Donations will be made to the following;
The Medical Expense Fund for Janet Monroe (Bev’s niece)
Winn Med Auxiliary
Winn Med Hospice
First Lutheran Church
Wellington Place
Winneshiek County Celebration of LifeSource: Helms Funeral Home database
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by John Schulte.
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