Lucille Christensen

Lucille Helen Christensen, 91, of Oelwein, Iowa, and formerly of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at the Oelwein Health Care Center in Oelwein.

She was born at home in rural Malvern, Iowa, on January 9, 1924, the daughter of Burl and Lydia (Smith) Abel. Lucille was raised in the Malvern area and graduated from Malvern High School in 1941. After high school, she attended normal school training and obtained her teaching certificate. Lucille then began teaching and taught country school for over 4 years just prior to and shortly after getting married. Lucille was united in marriage to Dale Christensen on July 10, 1945, in Atlantic. Dale was serving in the United States Army and upon his return from the war, they began farming near Marne, Iowa, then Walnut, Iowa, and continued farming in the rural Atlantic area. They retired in 1985, and at that time moved into town in Atlantic. Dale passed away in 2007 and Lucille then moved to 800 Chestnut in Atlantic. In 2012, Lucille's daughter moved her to northeast Iowa to be closer to her.

Lucille enjoyed crossword puzzles, crocheting, needlepoint, fishing, gardening, playing cards, playing Bingo, and baking and cooking, especially her chocolate chip cookies. Lucille was a member of Monroe Methodist Church near Walnut, Iowa, where she made many dear friends.

Lucille is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Doug) McConnelee of Dunkerton, IA; her son, Dennis (Sue) Christensen of Amarillo, Texas; her grandsons, Brian McConnelee of Independence, Iowa, and Brandon (Tiffany) McConnelee, of Fairbank, IA; step-grandchildren, Scott McConnelee and Luanne Stewart; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Tyler and Devin McConnelee; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; her parents, Burl and Lydia Abel; her siblings, Lorene (Bill) Sieck, Maxine (Howard) Baldwin, Howard (Addilee) Abel, Don (Inez) Abel, Paul (Letha) Abel; her brothers-in-law, Dallas Christensen, Floyd (Myrt) Christensen, Delbert Christensen; and sister-in-law, Ellen Perry.

Visitation with family will be one hour prior to the service from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, January 2, 2016, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2016, also at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, with burial in the Atlantic Cemetery.