Lois E. Christiansen, 98, Hartley

A memorial service for Lois E. Christiansen was held Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley. Pastor Chris Nitzel officiated.

Honorary pallbearers were Mitchell Van Erdewyk, Jason Gruhn, Dale Barnes and Lynn Barnes. Interment was at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Lois Elvira Christiansen, daughter of Fred and Veda Ionia (Walters) Winkelhaus, was born on her parents’ farm near Hartley on March 6, 1925. Her older sister, Ardis, was there to welcome her to the family. The girls grew up together on the farm, helping their mother around the house and doing chores for their dad as they were able. Their Christian faith was founded in the Methodist church in Hartley.

Lois received her early education through the country school system in O’Brien County, and graduated from Hartley High School with the Class of 1942. While still in high school she was able to attend Normal classes to earn credits for teaching grade school.

Following graduation, Lois furthered her education through classes offered by Iowa State Extension in Spencer and completed the teaching course through Northwestern College in Orange City. Consequently, she taught country school for many years in Center, Omega and Lincoln townships, as well as Harrison #2 in Osceola County and the Melvin Community School in Melvin. Lois truly enjoyed teaching young minds and, hopefully, shaping their future in a positive direction. She found it very gratifying to visit with her former students in later years.

Lois was united in marriage to Donald Christiansen on Feb. 21, 1954 at the home of Lois’ father, Fred Winkelhaus, near Hartley. They began their life on a farm near May City where Lois and Donald would raise their two children, Jeannene (1959) and Wade (1961), and steward the land together. Lois taught school until their children were born and then turned her attention to caring for her family. They were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. Lois taught Sunday school, was active in LWML and participated in other church activities.

Following Donald’s death in 1978, Lois relocated to the town of Hartley, moving her membership to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Visiting with people and sharing experiences was a special part of Lois’ life. She had belonged to Deo Decem and, before her eyesight began to fail, had enjoyed playing bridge with friends or getting wrapped up in a good book. Of course, all that could wait when it came to her three granddaughters and great-granddaughter, Parker (who lovingly referred to her great-grandmother as “Gigi”). They were the light of her life.

Lois joined loved ones who had gone before on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at the age of 98 years. Preceding her were her husband, Donald; her son, Wade (2000); parents, Fred and Ionia Winkelhaus; her sister, Ardis (James) Barnes; parents-in-law, Martin and Bertha Christiansen; and sister-in-law, Viola (Harold) Harms.

Keeping her memory close at heart are her daughter and husband, Jeannene (Ray) Ryan, of Burlington, Kan.; granddaughters: Ashley (Annie) Baumgarn, of Riverside, Calif.; Emily (Mitchell) Van Erdewyk and daughter, Parker, of Lawrence, Kan.; and Kendall Ryan, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and other relatives and friends.