Shirley D Christensen

Shirley D. Christensen, age 81, of Mankato, died Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato.

Memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, September 10, 2010 at Belgrade Avenue United Methodist Church in North Mankato, with Rev. Janice Gorman officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery. Mankato Mortuary is handling arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Salvation Army.

Shirley was born on January 3, 1929 in Chicago, IL. She was the daughter of Clarence and Burnatta (Torreson) Norris. Shirley was united in marriage to Harry Christensen on January 5, 1961 in Mankato. She was employed with Mankato Citizens Telephone Company, which later became Hickory Tech. Following her retirement, she was employed at the Salvation Army. Shirley was a member of Belgrade Avenue United Methodist Church, where she participated in the Church Circle. She was a past member of the Elk's Lodge. Shirley enjoyed sewing, hand stitching, and embroidery. She loved to watch and attend her grandchildren and great grandchildren's activities. Shirley was a fan of the Minnesota Twins and attended a game at their new stadium earlier this year.

Shirley is survived by her two children, Richard (Molly) Christensen of Mankato and Karen (Edward) Schutz of Sleepy Eye; five grandchildren, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Peterson, Kimberlee (Bart) Stoltzman, Katheryn (Chad) Roberts, Jess (Kris) Hodgson, and Anne Christensen; eight great grandchildren, Tyler and Parker Stoltzman, Jacob and Jillian Peterson, Mamush and Scarlett Roberts, Jack and Grant Hodgson; one brother, James (Kaye) Norris; also many other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry in 1976; and one brother, Walter Richard Norris who died during WWII.