Barbara Ann Christensen

Barbara Ann Christensen was born on June 17, 1934 to Merton W. and Olga S. Swanson Bickford in Albert Lea, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Barbara graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1952. On June 22, 1952 she married John L. Christensen at Salem Lutheran Church. Barb enjoyed her coffee friends, baking and sewing for friends and family, playing Bunco and other games, and doing crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed all types of music, dancing, roller-skating, motorcycle riding, concerts and especially watching her grandchildren in their school activities. Barbara was a very active member of the Calvary Baptist Church. She loved living on the farm west of Albert Lea where she and John raised their family. Barbara loved driving for the Motor Inn Company. Her favorite vacations were taken with John in the Rocky Mountains and also a trip to Branson and Oklahoma in recent years. All who knew Barb will miss her love of life, her chocolate chip cookies and her laugh. Survivors include her husband, John of New Richland; children, Kevin Christensen, Kay Dean Werner, and Kent Carmen Christensen; grandchildren, Steven Judy Navarro Christensen, Keith, Kendall, Derek, Tyler, and Kendra Christensen, Jeremy Utley, Nicole Bartness, Abby Christensen, Karla Rick Kelly, Kim Scott Heilman, and Brian Werner; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Zitterow of St. Paul, Helen Ray Katzung of Albert Lea, Joan John Edwards of New Richland, and Judy Gary Johnson of Ellendale, brother-in-law Jim Christensen, sister-in-law Barbara Christensen; many nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Olga and Merton Bickford; grandsons, Michael Utley in 1997 and Edward Werner in 2007; mother and father-in-law, Alfred and Iva Christensen; sister-in-law Rena Christensen; nephew, Toby Zitterow; and niece, Lori Zitterow.