Mary LaDean Christensen

Mary LaDean Christensen, 95, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away December 2, 2025 at Clarissa Cook Hospice after a fall at home. She will be laid to rest with her husband at the Rock Island National Cemetery. The family will be holding a Celebration of Life on Saturday, December 20, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Davenport Elks Lodge 298, 4400 West Central Park Avenue. Davenport, IA 52804.

LaDean was born in Eden Township, Clinton County, on September 11, 1930, to John and Vivian Hermiston. She had fond recollections of her early years on the family farm with her 7 siblings. Her favorite recollections were of her one-room schoolhouse and of the times sleeping in the open air during hot summer nights - before the age of air conditioning. LaDean married Duane Christensen on December 29, 1950. They had four children and enjoyed 59 years of marriage. Duane preceded her in death, passing away on November 28, 2010.

LaDean believed that “happiness walks on busy feet,” and so many footsteps were taken in the name of joy and fun. She was a lifelong Hawkeye fan, and for decades you could find her perched in her seat on the 15-yard line, cheering on her beloved Hawks. LaDean also followed the team to many away games and bowl games along with her sister, Ruth. Many stories followed those trips.

Not content with cheering from the sidelines, LaDean also enjoyed competing. She took up running later in life and found great success. She ran the Bix more than 20 times, frequently winning her age group or finishing as the runner-up. LaDean took great pride in her accomplishments, and awards ceremonies were full of family and friends who also experienced the pride and joy of the day.

Some of her fondest memories were made during annual fishing trips to Becker’s Resort on the shore of Lake Winnibigosh. Fishing in her favorite wide-brimmed hat, she would catch perch after perch, quickly swinging her line to Duane for easy fish removal. Years after her last visit, she would fix her gaze into the distance and say, “I can still see that lake.” Even back at home, she cherished the song of the backyard birds and the colors that came with every evening sunset. Many a visitor was treated to her unique flowerpots full of every shade imaginable while a hummingbird sipped from a nearby feeder.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, Ray Hermiston, Paul Hermiston, and Lionel Hermiston; and her sister, Helen Edwards.

Those alive to honor her memory include her children, Gwen (Michael) Schroeder of Le Claire, Craig (Sue) Christensen of Le Claire, Mark Christensen, and Todd (Michelle) Christensen of Davenport; her grandchildren, Ryan (Tara) Christensen of Long Grove, Chad (Amanda) Christensen of Davenport, Sara (Peter) Kreuser of Raleigh, NC, and Leah (Aaron) Dickett of Ankeny; her siblings, Ruth Drake of Morrisville, NC, Doris Bennett of Davenport, and John (Charlene) Hermiston of Blue Grass; Cindy Bondi; her 7 great grandchildren; and her many nieces and nephews.

The Family would also like to thank everyone at Clarissa Cook hospice house for their care and sincere compassion.