Marian Christenson

September 21, 1922 – September 13, 2012

Marian was born and raised in the Cambridge and Elk River MN area. After graduating from Mounds Midway Nursing School in St. Paul, MN, she married Rev. Carlton G. Christenson on June 18, 1947. She was the beloved wife of Carlton and the loving mother of five children. In the forty years Carlton ministered to American Baptist churches the family lived in many Midwestern states. Marian loved the nursing profession.

She worked as a registered nurse in hospitals while together they were raising their family. At one point in her career she was the assistant director of nursing at a hospital. Upon retirement in 1989 Marian and Carlton lived in Edina, MN where they spent the happiest years of their lives. Carlton died November 4, 2001. In 2009 Marian moved to Raleigh, NC where she enjoyed many family visits and gatherings. She loved God and her family, was proud of her Scandinavian heritage, was an avid reader, and enjoyed gardening.

In 2004 Marian completed the Peterson/Noren/Christenson family history. In 55 beautifully written pages she described her ancestors, childhood memories, formative years, and life as a pastor’s wife. The memoir was several years in the making and is a gift of immeasurable importance to her family.

She is survived by children: Jeanne Perkins of Minnetonka, MN, John Christenson (Laurie) of Raleigh, NC, JoAnn Christenson (J.D. Wilson) of Fayetteville, NC, Jim Christenson (Linda) of Newton, IA, and Judy Christenson (Roland Sellen) of Naples, FL, as well as many dearly beloved grand- and great-grandchildren. Brothers Robert, Ronald, and Richard Peterson and sister Shirley Moos also survive her.

Parents Sam and Edith Peterson, sister Charlotte Larsen, brother Russell Peterson, and son-in-law Philip D. Perkins predeceased her.

Private services will be held in Raleigh, NC with interment at Springvale Baptist Cemetery near Cambridge, MN at a later date.

Memorials, if desired, may be directed to Bethel University, Rev. Carlton G. and Marian E. Christenson Scholarship, c/o Office of Development, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112 or to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607