Gwendolyn "Gwen" Christensen

Gwendolyn “Gwen” C. Christensen, age 92 of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie. Gwendolyn Carvel Olson was born March 11, 1927, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, to Gilford and Virginia (Miller) Olson. She attended school in Freeborn and graduated in 1945. On January 9, 1945, Gwen was united in marriage to John Christensen at her parents’ home. To this union three children were born. After graduation and her marriage to John, Gwen moved to Chicago and worked in a defense plant while John served his country in the Navy during WWII. Upon John’s discharge, the couple moved to Hartland and in 1959 they moved to Blooming Prairie, where John worked for Lysne Construction and Gwen worked while in Blooming Prairie at Blooming Prairie Public Schools and Continental Phone Company. She loved dancing, playing cards – especially bridge, she belonged to several bridge clubs. Gwen enjoyed golfing, hardanger, traveling, making lefsa, and was an avid reader, she liked to read the bible. She especially loved spending time with her family and had fond memories of her childhood like tobogganing down “potato hill.”

Survivors include her son, Jeffrey (Sonja) Christensen of Algona, IA; two daughters, Pamela Folkens of Blooming Prairie, MN, Jennifer Milton of Blooming Prairie, MN; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother, James (Sharon) Olson of Hartland, MN; sister, Kathryn (Duane) Spooner of Hartland, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gilford and Virginia Olson; husband, John Christensen in 2004; sons-in-law, Philip Milton and Lee Folkens; brothers, Leslie (Dolores) Olson, Stanley Olson in childhood.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2020 at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Hartland Cemetery, Hartland, Minnesota. Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie or the Hartland Cemetery. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie.