Marjorie Clarice Christiansen

Marjorie C. Christiansen age 86 of Balaton, MN died on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, August 27, 2010 at Sillerud Lutheran Church, rural Balaton. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton with a prayer service at 7PM and visitation continuing one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Sillerud Lutheran Cemetery. Marjorie Clarice Christiansen was born on September 27, 1923 to John and Marie (Olson) Gutterman in Glenwood, MN in Pope County. At the age of one her family moved to Lake Wilson, MN, where her father worked for the railroad. Later they moved to the Dovray, MN area and then to a farm by Russell, MN. She attended first through sixth grade at the Red Top School and graduated from Russell High School in 1941. She was a 4-H member for ten years where she showed sheep and won trips to the Junior Livestock Show in St. Paul, MN. She also won numerous awards including Grand Champion Showmanship. After graduation she worked as a clerk at Greve’s Store in Russell, Hermann’s Dry Goods in Marshall, MN and S & L in Marshall. In 1945 she and her parents moved to Mason City, IA, where she was employed as Department Head of Sportswear at Younker’s Department Store. In 1947 Marjorie married Charles Christiansen in Marshall. They made their home on a farm in Skandia Township, near Balaton, MN, where she lived for 55 years. Her husband Charles died on April 7, 1989. From 1978 until 1999, Marjorie worked at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton, as a housekeeper. In March of 2003 she moved to an apartment in Balaton, where she resided until April of 2010. Her church was a very important part of her life. She was currently a member of Sillerud Lutheran Church, where she was active in Ladies Aid, Circle and, quilting. She also was a past member of Zion Lutheran Church from 1947 to 1962. Her family was also most precious to her. Family gatherings were her favorite and her cooking was loved by everyone, especially her Special K Bars, Angel food cakes and chicken hot dish among others. She enjoyed cleaning, yard work, gardening, flowers, word find puzzles, baking and embroidery, of which, her tablecloth embroidery won several grand champion ribbons at the Murray County Fair. In April of 2010, Marjorie became a resident of Colonial Manor Nursing Home. On Tuesday, August 24, 2010 Marjorie died, surrounded by her loving family and a wonderful staff of workers, at the age of 86. Marjorie is survived by her two children, daughter, Clarice “Terry” (Mylan) Larson of Slayton, MN and her son, Douglas (Ruth) Christiansen of Balaton, MN; four grandchildren, Amy (John) Bruns of Russell, MN, Monty Larson of Slayton, MN, Kelly (Kerry) Louwagie and Lacey (special friend, Alex Nelson) Christiansen, both of Balaton, MN; three great grandchildren, Kassidy and Kolby Louwagie, and Whitney Bruns; one sister, Leona Hefti of Balaton, MN; and brother-in-law, Donald (Hazel) Christiansen of Balaton, MN; nieces, nephews and many friends. Her husband, Charles, her parents, infant sister, Helen, brother-in-law, Roy Hefti, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Iola and Robert Britton, and nephew, Richard Britton preceded her in death. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to the Sillerud Lutheran Church.