Orvilla Christenson

Orvilla H. Chris Christenson, age 86, of Mankato, died Wednesday, December 24, 2003, at Hillcrest Health Care Center in Mankato.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2003, at Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato, with Rev. Mary Iverson officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Mankato. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and continues one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church or VINE.

Chris was born on January 6, 1917, in Grantsburg, WI, to Hans and Emma (Knutson) Solness. She was united in marriage to Ollie S. Christenson on June 9, 1935 in Grantsburg. They moved to Mankato in 1952. They had resided in Fergus Falls and Denver, Colorado before returning to Mankato in 1986. Chris was a health care aide and caregiver to the elderly and children. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato, where she belonged to circle and did volunteer work. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, fishing, gardening, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Chris is survived by her son and his wife, Russ and Vicki Christenson of Apple Valley; daughter and her husband, JoAnn and Darrell Crotty of Denver, CO; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ollie in 1991, and three sisters, Martha, Ruth, and Ester.