Anita Christenson

Anita Christenson, age 73, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at her home in Wendell, MN. Anita Rae Christenson was born on January 11, 1942, in Norcross, Minnesota, the daughter of Ray and Mildred (Bacon) Richards. She attended the Corndale Country School, and the Elementary School in Norcross, graduating from the Herman High School in 1960. She then continued her education at the North Dakota State School of Science, in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Anita and Gerald Christenson were married on September 8, 1962 in the EUB/Methodist Church in Norcross. After their marriage they lived on the Christenson Farm south of Wendell where they have resided for the past fifty-three years. Anita was a homemaker while raising her family. She loved to cook. Being in the kitchen making food, and serving her family and friends was of utmost importance to her. She was a natural hostess. When stopping by you were always invited to stay for coffee and treated to her freshly baked goods. Her interests included ceramics, tole painting, knitting, and cake decorating. She always enjoyed learning new things. Anita loved gardening, both flower and vegetable. Each spring she waited with anticipation for the peonies and tulips to bloom. Anita enjoyed watching her garden grow, and when the harvest came, she spent many days preserving food for her family to enjoy throughout the winter. She adored animals, and taught her children and grandchildren to do the same. Gerald and Anita liked playing cards, belonging to the same card party bunch for nearly fifty years. The grandkids remember playing board games, cards and laughing with Grandma. Anita was so very proud of her children and grandchildren, whether they were playing sports or playing music, she was their biggest fan, and could always be found in the audience, cheering them on. She loved living in the country and being a farmer's wife.

Anita is survived by her husband, Gerald; three children and eight grandchildren, Peggy (Mike) Haining, James, Ruth, Pearl and Grace of Branson, Missouri, Terry (Teri) Christenson, Tayler, Tiana and Tate of Ashby, and Dean Christenson and Meadow of Wendell; four siblings, Dale (Olivia) Richards of Norcross, Fern Darkow of Baxter, Shirley (Lowell) Matthews of Chandler, Arizona and Carol (Charles) Piekarski of Fergus Falls; and by numerous relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Mildred Richards and by one brother-in-law, Robert Darkow. Per Anita's request, please wear bright, happy colors as you join the family in celebrating her life.

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Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

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Previous Events

Visitation
Saturday, October 17, 2015

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

United Lutheran Church

116 1st Street NE
Elbow Lake, MN 56531

Service
Saturday, October 17, 2015

11:00 AM

United Lutheran Church

116 1st Street NE
Elbow Lake, MN 56531

Visitation two hours prior (9AM to 11AM) to the service at the church.