Arlene J. Christensen died Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Northcrest Community Health Care, Ames, Iowa, due to pancreatic cancer.
Arlene (Miller) Christensen was born June 13,1934 in Chicago, Illinois to Arnold and Clarice Dorothy 'Kip' (Cheadle) Miller. After her parents separated, her father looked after her while she lived with friends and relatives. When her father went to the US Army in 1942, she came to live with her Aunt Bess and Uncle George Miller near Spencer, Iowa where she attended country school.
She attended Spencer High School during which time she lived with the Berma and Barney Thomsen family, who became an extended family for her. She attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and then taught country school near Nickerson, Nebraska for one year. She attended Iowa State Teachers College, acquiring a two-year certificate. She was married to Dale L. Christensen August 14,1955 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, Iowa. She taught 4th grade in the College Community School System, Cedar Rapids, Iowa for two years while Dale finished medical school.
She and her husband made their home at Lake City, Iowa where they raised four children, Janeen (Kent) Anderson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jon (Denise) Christensen of Slater, Iowa, Lisa Christensen of Omaha, Nebraska, and Larry (Trisha) Christensen of Carroll, Iowa. She was further blessed by twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
She managed the household, the children, and menagerie of pets and animals on the acreage. She found time to serve as Sunday School Superintendent at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, support the Stewart Memorial Auxiliary and serve on a board for low cost housing, and various community projects.
Arlene and Dale moved to the Northcrest Community in Ames, Iowa. in 2011 and have enjoyed an engaging and pleasant lifestyle there. Arlene loved the world with a caring heart, taught others to make the way easier, and made a difference one life at a time. She will be sorely missed.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethesda Lutheran Church or Northcrest Community Health Care in Arlene's name. Memorial contributions may also be made to the Northcrest Foundation, 1801 20th Street, Ames, IA 50010.