Thief River Falls – Verna Christensen, 91, of Thief River Falls, went to meet her Lord and Savior on January 1, 2024, at Oakland Park Communities with her loving family by her side.
Verna Isabelle Sollom was born October 29, 1932, delivered by her grandmother, on the family farm in New Solum Township, Marshall County, the daughter of Kittel T. and Hilda Adelia (Langlie) Sollom. She was raised on a farm in rural Holt. Verna attended country school in a one room schoolhouse and graduated from Newfolden High School with the Class of 1950.
After graduating from high school, she went to work in Thief River Falls as a nurse’s aide at Mercy Hospital and later the Falls Starkow Clinic for Dr. Wendt. “I was also the secretary at the City Dairy in Thief River Falls which was owned by Waldie Christensen. It was while I worked there that I met Waldie’s son, Clyde, whom I fell in love with and married December 20, 1952.” After marrying, they moved out to the Christensen Family Farm where they raised four children, Curt, Kent, Keith, and Val.
Verna helped anywhere she was needed on the farm, including tractor driving, bookkeeping and helping with the honeybees.
Verna was diagnosed with dementia and was wonderfully cared for many years by her loving husband, Clyde, until moving to Oakland Park Communities in 2019.
Music was a big part of Verna’s life. She was a self-taught piano player and could play almost any song by ear. She also loved to sing with her brothers and sisters. Verna loved the Lord and served in many areas of the Evangelical Free Church. She was a part of music, teaching, and service within the church. Verna also enjoyed serving in Christian Women’s Club, Gideon Auxiliary and Homemakers Club.
Verna was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved watching them participate in many activities and introducing them to her love of music, rocking them and softly singing lullabies.
She maintained spectacular flower gardens and was an excellent cook, feeding the family and harvest crews.
Survivors include her loving husband of 71 years, Clyde; children, Curtis (Lin) Christensen all of Thief River Falls, Kenton (Konnie) Christensen of Deer River, Keith (Ruth) Christensen and Valerie (Scott) Hutton all of Thief River Falls; 11 grandchildren, Karen (Ryan) Griffin, Kelsey (CJ) Beving, Todd (Cortney) Christensen, Trent (Kelly) Christensen, Trevor (Joy) Christensen, Katie Christensen, David (Laura) Christensen, Daniel Christensen, Connor (MaKenzi) Hutton, Jorde (Lauren) Hutton, Devin Hutton; 24 great-grandchildren; siblings, Elwood Sollom of CA and Elvida (John) Kastelein of IL; sister-in-law, Ivadell Reierson of Owatonna; brother-in-law, Larry (Ruth) Bjorsness of Thief River Falls; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Harvey Sollom, Norma (Harvey) Anderson, Arlyn (Margery) Sollom, Marian (Harold) Vatthauer, Adrian (Sue) Sollom, and an infant sister; sister-in-law, Marie Sollom; brothers-in-law, Wallace Reierson, Wallace (Ruby) Christensen and Merle (Violet) Christensen.
Visitation will be held from 5–7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Friday, January 5, 2024 at the Evangelical Free Church. The service to celebrate Verna’s life will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, with visitation one hour prior to the service, at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Kevin MacLean officiating.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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