Nancy Ann Christensen

Nancy Ann Christensen was born August 20, 1935 to George and Marie (Springer) Lorenzen in Lake Benton, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, where her Mom was the church organist. Nancy worked at her father's cafe and continued there after graduating from Lake Benton High School. On April 13, 1954 Nancy was united in marriage to Arthur Christensen. Their union was blessed with four daughters and 41 years of life together. The family moved around as Arthur served in the U.S. Air Force, for a time in France and Spain, leaving the family to serve in the Vietnam War, then stateside in California, Illinois, and South Dakota. Upon retiring in 1976 they moved back to Lake Benton, Minnesota. Nancy was an avid reader so it was a great fit as she began working part-time at the Lake Benton Library in 1993. After her husband Arthur died in 1995, Nancy worked there full-time until she retired. Dementia/Alzheimer's unfortunately became Nancy's end battle. In July 2013, unable to stay at home, Nancy entered the care of Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota, where on Sunday, February 4, 2018 she died at the age of 82 surrounded by family.

Nancy enjoyed her family, especially being able to have opportunities to spend time with her sister and parents after being away for over twenty years with her husband's military career. Her life during the military years was a devoted wife and homemaker, organizing and resettling the family every 1-2 years. Besides her avid love of reading, she enjoyed crochet, crossword puzzles, gardening and painting. As an animal lover, Nancy especially loved her cats.

Nancy is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Debra (Ralph) Viera of Owatonna, Minnesota, Dawn (Gene) Cook of Loda, Illinois, Denise (Michael) Koch of Lake Benton, Minnesota, and Dayle (Jon) Thomas of Searcy, Arkansas; 17 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Karen (Dennis) Anderson of Crystal, Minnesota; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur, and her parents, George and Marie Lorenzen.