Florence Elizabeth Christiansen 1913-2012

CHRISTIANSEN GILDA

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/23/2012 at 13:46:14

Sioux City Journal
November 18, 2012

SIOUX CITY | Florence Elizabeth Christiansen, 99, of Sioux City, died at home at North Park Senior Living on Friday morning, Nov. 16, 2012.

Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with the Revs. Russell Senstad and David Zirpel officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service.

Florence was born Aug. 25, 1913, at St. Louis, Mo. She attended high school in Jennings, Mo. She was married to Rev. Alfred Christiansen on Sept. 12, 1937.

Florence was an avid reader of newspapers and saver of inspiring stories throughout her life. She began sewing at age three and sewed and altered clothes for the family throughout her married life. After her husband died, she worked in men's clothing alterations at Younkers and at a bridal shop.

Florence was very active in church life during her husband’s pastorates at Lutheran churches in Grant Township, Ida County, Rock Rapids, Wall Lake, Los Angeles and Remsen. She was very gifted musically and sang for many weddings and special services in addition to working with the choirs and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. In later years she was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Morningside.

She is survived by her brother, Clarence and sister, Marian, both of St. Louis; her sister, Carole of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; her sons, Kenneth and his wife, Karen of Jacksonville, Fla., and Jim of Paris, France; grandchildren, Gwen of Biarritz, France, John and his wife, Melanie of Perrysburg, Ohio, and Christopher and wife, Beth of Jacksonville, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Jillian, Constance and Xavier; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Edward Gilda Sr. and Josephine Vogel Gilda; her brothers, Edward Jr., Theodore, Elmer, Albert, Richard, Ralph and Donald; her sisters, Adele Marie, Lillian, Edna Mae and Eleanor; her son, Gerald; and her great-grandson, Sullivan.

Thanks to Rev. Russell Senstad and Rev. David Zirpel of Redeemer, to Walt and Arlene Schindler, and to the staff of North Park Place for many visits and much assistance during her later years. Also, thanks to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of Siouxland for encouragement and comfort care during her last months and days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Siouxland, Redeemer Lutheran Church, or the charity of the giver’s choice.