Viola Christianson

Viola Elaine Christianson, age 86, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Monday, February 10, 2020 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie. Vi was born in Freeborn County to Mikkel and Alma (Lee) Iverson on Nov. 3, 1933. She graduated from Austin High School in 1951. After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for the elevator in Hayward, Minn. In her early twenties, she worked as a secretary for a pharmaceutical company in Los Angeles, Calif. Upon returning to Minnesota, she took a bookkeeping position at Farmers Elevator in Blooming Prairie. Vi married Nathan Christianson on March 3, 1956 in Lake Crystal, Minn. and resided in rural Blooming Prairie. After staying home while their four girls were young, she returned to the workforce as a bookkeeper for various businesses in the area, including Prairie Farm Service, Sow Enterprises, Austin Daily Herald and Cenex. Vi was very active at Red Oak Grove Lutheran church. Over the years she taught Sunday School, accompanied youth to work camp, attended WELCA and quilted. She also served as church secretary and treasurer. Vi enjoyed sewing, knitting, camping, reading and traveling.

Vi is survived by one brother, Melvin Iverson of rural Oakland, MN; daughters, Dawn (Dean) Peterson of Blooming Prairie, MN, Karen (Dan) Zander of New Richmond, WI, and Kristi (Don) Selchow of Hamburg, MN; grandchildren, Bennett (Leah), Arthina, Anna, Kari, Kelly, Elise (Taylor), Joseph (Alleah), Matthew, Barbie and Nathan; and six great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Nathan Christianson; daughter, Cheryl Deppe; parents; step-father Bennett Wangen; brothers, Clarence and Charles; sisters, Agnes and Marvel; four nephews and one niece.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, rural Austin, with the Reverend Richard Hegal officiating. Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21 at Worlein Funeral Home, Blooming Prairie, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be given to cancer research or autism research. Worlein Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie is assisting the family with arrangements.