Dorothy Christensen, 98, Hutchinson
Dorothy Bertha Christensen, 98, of Hutchinson, died Thursday, July 21, 2016, at Hutchinson Health Hospital in Hutchinson.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 26, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with the Rev. Paulus Pilgrim officiating. Shirley Holtz was the organist. Congregational hymns were “Rock of Ages,” “How Great Thou Art”and “He Leadeth Me.”
Casket bearers were Rick Bethke, Dwayne Bethke, Dave Christensen, Chad Christensen, Ted Christensen, Tom R. Christensen and Scott Salonek.
Interment was in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Dorothy Bertha Christensen was born Dec. 16, 1917, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Charles and Agnes (Kohls) Krsiean. She was baptized as an infant in 1918, and was confirmed in her faith as a youth, both at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She received her education in Hutchinson.
On Dec. 16, 1936, she was united in marriage to Hans C. Christensen at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Donald, Barbara and Robert. The couple resided in Hutchinson until 1945, when they moved outside the city limits to a farm south of Hook Lake. They shared 33 years of marriage until Mr. Christensen’s death in 1969. Mrs. Christensen moved back to Hutchinson 11⁄2 years later.
She was a loving wife, mother and homemaker. She was employed with 3M Company in Hutchinson for 21 years, retiring on Jan. 1, 1978. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
Mrs. Christensen enjoyed bowling and belonged to a local league. She also enjoyed creating ceramics, studying genealogy and, when she wanted to relax, would pick up her cross stitching, crossword puzzles or a good book. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends.
She is survived by her children, Donald (Phyllis) Christensen of Glencoe and Barbara (Bill) Bethke of Yellville, Arkansas; grandchildren, David Christensen (Pam Christensen) of Glencoe, Jodi Christensen of Glencoe, Chad Christensen of Hutchinson, Dorothy (Jim) Harp of Katy, Texas, Doreen (Patrick) Baros of Bismarck, North Dakota, Rick (Att) Bethke of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dwayne Bethke of Anoka, Ted Christensen of Montrose, Tom R. (Michelle) Christensen of Howard Lake and Tammy (Scott) Salonek of Waverly; great-grandchildren, Taylor Christensen, Tony Christensen, Stevie Combs, Sheila Murphy, Desiree Christensen, Zoe Christensen, Gabe Christensen, Hailey Christensen, Nickolas Harp, Melissa Harp, Alan Harp, Ben Baros, Joshua Baros, Cody Christensen, Shianne Christensen and Brody Salonek; many great-great-grandchildren; special nieces, Ida Karstens and Joyce Johnson, both of Hutchinson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Krsiean in 1962 and Agnes Krsiean in 1936; husband, Hans Christensen; son, Robert Christensen in 1985; granddaughter, Donna Bethke in 1960; brothers, Amos Krsiean, Virgil Krsiean, Willard Krsiean and Clarence Krsiean; and sisters-in-law, Eileen Krsiean and Ann Krsiean.
Arrangements were with the Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.
