Frances L.T. "Fran" Christiansen

September 8, 2010

Frances L.T. "Fran" Christiansen, age 67, of Lake Mills, died on Thursday, September 2, 2010, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 7, at 10:30 a.m., at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Pastor David E. Jordon officiating. Visitation was from 4–8:00 p.m., on Monday, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills and again one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial took place in the North Shell Rock Cemetery in rural Northwood.

Frances L.T. "Fran" Christiansen, was born on January 24, 1943 at home, in rural Worth County near Northwood, Iowa, the daughter of Clayton and Laura (Myli) Land. She attended the Northwood Schools and graduated from the Northwood High School “Class of 1960”. On June 21, 1963, she married Leonard Christianson and to this union three children were born, Linda, Lorna and Lon. On January 19, 1985, Fran was united in marriage to Roger G. Christiansen at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. Fran was in banking for 46 years with 43 of them in Lake Mills. She made many friends and acquaintances during her career.

Fran loved her family, especially playing with her grandchildren. She loved her dogs and her many trips around their ponds with them. She spent many hours in her flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed her many vacations whether it was fishing in Canada, gambling in Las Vegas or at Treasure Island and relaxing in the Bahamas. Fran also enjoyed her favorite soap “All My Children”.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Roger of Lake Mills; their children, Linda Ouverson, Lorna Christianson, Lon (Jody) Christianson, Troy (Lisa) Christiansen, all of Northwood, Marnie (Mike) Mueller of Manly, Shannon (Lori) Christiansen of Kasson, Minnesota and Natalie (Josh) Hewitt of Rochester, Minnesota; sixteen grandchildren, Tim, Dan, Kaity, Kylie, Quincey, Raegen, Seth, Kail, Emily, Taylor, Calli, Samantha, Dylan, Brooke, Hanna and Jackson; three great-grandchildren, Trinity, Renae and Aidan; siblings, Lila Funk of Charles City, Lily (John D.) Anderson and Luan Sallee, both of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Harry (Mary) Land of Swisher and Carolyn Kalvig of Northwood; brother-in-law, Jim (Gerry) Christiansen of Manly; sisters-in-law, Margaret Christiansen of Osage and Ruth Christiansen of Manly; two very special people in Fran’s life she considered family, Nancy Mokelstad and Jeff Steele; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Leonard; and one brother, Andrew Land.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Pearl Kathryn White

September 8, 2010

Pearl Kathryn White, age 96, of Iowa Falls and formerly of Grafton, died on Sunday, September 5, 2010, at the Scenic Manor in Iowa Falls.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, September 9, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, with Rev. Ronald Bolinger officiating. Burial will be in the Grafton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Pearl was born on April 22, 1914 in Union Township, Worth County, near Grafton, the daughter of George and Arminda “Emma” (Rappath) Borchert. Pearl was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran in May of 1914. She attended one year of religious instruction at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton and was confirmed by the Rev. Carl Landdeck on April 1, 1928. She attended rural schools and graduated from the Grafton High School in 1932. She was united in marriage to John “Jack” White on September 8, 1935 at Emmanuel Lutheran, by the Rev. Carl Landdeck. They had two children, Dennis and Dixie.

Pearl taught Sunday School for 25 years and was always interested in music. Her musical interests included playing the trombone, violin, piano and organ. She was the church organist for 5 years and Sunday School Organist for a number of years. Pearl was a charter member of the Altar Guild and had been a circle member of the church through the years. She was coordinator of the Emmanuel Lutheran Centennial Book, published in 1983. Pearl retired as Postmaster of Grafton in 1977, having been with the postal service for 31 years. She fully enjoyed her retirement.

Pearl appreciated the extra time with her family and traveling with her husband. Her hobbies included quilting, crocheting, refinishing old furniture, gardening and cooking for family and friends. She would always serve you a cup of coffee and a cookie. Pearl will always be remembered for her outgoing personality and felt she never met a stranger.

Pearl is survived by her daughter, Dixie Jellum of Mason City; daughter-in-law, Jenenne White of Iowa Falls; 4 grandchildren, Michelle (Jesse) Bawek of West Des Moines, Jennifer (Heath) Walton of Hampton, David White of Mason City and Gary (Melissa) White of Buffalo, Wyoming; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John “Jack” White in 2000; her son, Dennis; brothers, Warren and Allen Borchert; a sister, Ruby Krueger; and a grandson, Steven White.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Douglas Eugene Williamson

September 29, 2010

Douglas Eugene Williamson, age 59, of Federal Dam, Minnesota and formerly of Glenville, died on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, September 27, at the United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. Pastor Debra Miller officiated. Interment was in the Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 26, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Douglas Eugene Williamson, was born on November 7, 1950 in Albert Lea, to Donald and Evelyn (Tostenson) Williamson. He grew up in Glenville and graduated from the Glenville High School in 1969. Douglas went into the United States Army after high school, serving in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne “The Herd.” In 1970, Doug was wounded in combat, earning a Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Air Medal, a Bronze Star and several other commendations. Douglas was paralyzed from his injuries and spent the remainder of his life in a wheelchair.

He was a lifelong member of United Methodist Church in Glenville. Douglas moved to Chisholm, Minnesota, where he lived for 20 years, then, lived in Federal Dam, Minnesota, for the last 10 years. He was a member of the American Legion and the Order of the Purple Heart. He was also an honorary member of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club.

Douglas enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing and playing cribbage. One of his proudest accomplishments was being able to make a solo trip to Alaska on his motorcycle in 1981. Doug’s family and friends were very important to him, especially his nieces and nephews. Blessed be his memory.

Survivors include his mother, Evelyn of Glenville; sisters, Dianne (Larry) Roerish, Addie (John) Rust, Dawn (Greg) Knaack and Mary Olson; brother, Jim (Cindy) Williamson; sisters-in-law, Rita Williamson and Mary Uhlenhopp; nieces and nephews, Chad (Kim) Williamson, Tonya Williamson, Eric (Theresa) Roerish, Elissa (Bob) Allbright, Brandon (Samantha) Cech, Barry (Katie) Cech, Katie Rust, Cody (Jill) Knaack, Jesse Knaack, Jackie (Kris) Aanes, Aaron (Emmy) Williamson, Lindy (Adam) Fredrickson, Nara (Shane) Olson, Seth (Korean) Olson, Jenny Reyerson and Josh (Samantha) Reyerson; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Douglas was preceded in death by his father, Donald D. Williamson; sister, Jacquelyn in infancy; brother, Donald Dean Williamson, Jr.; nephew, Derek Olson; and great-nephew, William Cech.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Fern L. Becker

September 29, 2010

Fern L. Becker, 84, of Rochester, died on Thursday, September 23, 2010, in Rochester, after an illness with cancer.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., today (Wednesday), at the Mahn Family Funeral Home – Rochester Chapel, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Oronoco Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Fern Lavonne Abbey, was born on January 27, 1926 in Northwood, Iowa, where she graduated from high school. She moved to Rochester, where she married William M. Becker on January 4, 1943. Mr. Becker died on May 24, 1977. Fern worked as a dietetic supervisor for the Rochester Methodist Hospital for 24 years.

She enjoyed having her grandchildren over, gardening, shopping and going to the casino with her friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Patrisha Rud of Rochester; two sons, Steven and Robert (Rita), both of Rochester; her sister, Edna Jirsa of Glenville, Minnesota; two grandsons, Tad and Derek Becker; and three great grandchildren, Joshua and Daphnie Crews and Cole Rollie.

Three brothers, three sisters and one granddaughter preceded her in death.
© Northwood Anchor 2010