Elaine Mary Loretta Christensen

Elaine Mary Loretta Christensen, the daughter of Edward and Laura (Thygesen) Knudsen, was born January 12, 1921, at her parent’s home west of Audubon, Iowa and died August 23, 2017, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 96 years, 7 months, and 11 days.

Elaine was baptized and confirmed at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon, Iowa. She attended rural schools then helped on the family farm and worked for several families in the area.

On August 18, 1943, she was united in marriage to Ernest F. Christensen at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. They operated the Christensen family farm where they raised their three children Roger, Beverly, and Craig. Elaine loved being a mother and a housewife. She had a passion for gardening and growing beautiful flowers. Ernest and Elaine operated the farm until they retired and moved into Audubon in 1981. Ernest died August 14, 2000. Elaine lived at home until she moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon in 2012.

Elaine was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton, Iowa for over 70 years. She was always dignified and kept her home immaculate. Elaine enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, playing cards, and knitting. But most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband Ernest F. Christensen; her parents; her brothers and sister: Frank Knudsen, Lenard Knudsen, and Ilamae Ahrendsen; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Edward Ahrendsen, Alfred Christensen, Art and LaVonne Christensen, and Lydia and John Jensen.

Survivors include her children and their spouses: Roger and MaryAnna Christensen of San Antonio, Texas; Beverly and Chuck Stupca of Rochester, Minnesota; and Craig and Kristi Christensen of Humboldt, Iowa; her grandchildren and their spouses: Zac and Carrie Christensen of Waukon, Iowa; Matt Stupca of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Garrett and Andrea Christensen of Ames, Iowa; Marissa and Geoff Kolva of West Chester, Pennsylvania; and Kenzie and Joe Flot of Cedar Falls, Iowa; her great grandchildren: Hayley, Cayl, and Elle Christensen of Waukon; Caitlyn, Aubrey, and Caleb Christensen of Ames; and Calvin Flot and his soon-to-be-born sibling of Cedar Falls; her sister: Marjorie Knudsen of Cincinnati, Ohio; her sisters-in-law: Deloris Knudsen and Marge Knudsen both of Audubon, Iowa; and Oda Christensen of Atlantic, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The family will meet with family and friends Saturday, August 26, 2017, from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Saturday afternoon, August 26, 2017, at 1:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. Interment will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary casket bearers will be Matt Stupca, Kenzie Flot, and Marissa Kolva. The casket bearers will be Roger Christensen, Craig Christensen, Chuck Stupca, Zac Christensen, Garrett Christensen, and Bruce Ahrendsen.