Beverly J. Christensen

BEVERLY JANE CHRISTENSEN was born on January 18, 1927 to James and Esther (Rehfeld) Wood at their home in Warner, South Dakota. She graduated from Warner High School in 1945. Following school, Bev worked in Aberdeen, South Dakota where she met Virgil Christensen. They were married on June 1, 1947 at the First Baptist Church in Aberdeen. The couple later moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where Bev worked while Virg attended university. In 1950 they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where they began their family. Virg and Bev relocated to Luverne, Minnesota in 1958 to raise their growing family and establish their business. In 2013, the couple returned to Sioux Falls, residing at The Lodge at Prairie Creek. On Thursday, December 22, 2016 Bev died peacefully in her home, at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 4 days. She was surrounded by her husband of almost 70 years and all seven children.

In addition to being a homemaker, Bev was very active socially and politically. She was the first woman to serve on the board of directors for First Bank in Luverne. Bev was passionate about politics. She was active in the Republican Party from 1958-2012. She served as Rock County’s Republican Chairwoman for many years, was a delegate at the National Republican Convention in 1976, and was appointed to Governor Al Quie’s advisory board. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Rock County Extension (Rock County Extension’s Homemaker of the Year in 1961), and active in the local PEO chapter. From 1960 until 2000 Bev managed properties for the family corporation. Bev attended the First Baptist Church in Luverne. She enjoyed raising her children, traveling, baking, and cross stitching. Bev was known to be a very kind, generous, and hardworking woman who always put her family and others first.

Beverly is lovingly remembered by her husband, Virgil; seven children, Carol Christensen and her husband Adolfo Gallego of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Paula Christensen of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, David Christensen of Bagley, Minnesota, Carla Casanova and her husband Mike of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jolene Ver Steeg and her husband Bruce of Denver, Colorado, Jayne Christensen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Mark Christensen and his wife Suzy of Fort Collins, Colorado. They have been blessed with 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Ramona Keller of Grafton, North Dakota. Bev was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings; Joyce Wood, Royal “Bud” Wood, Carolyn Gardner, and Donna Kuhfeld.

Memorials may be directed to the Luverne Dollars for Scholars.