Rose Marie Christensen

Rose Marie was born on February 16, 1933 to Augusta Pauline Rabe and Herman Frederick Laue on a farm near Palmer, Kansas. The Family moved from the farm to Greenleaf, Kansas which she considered her home town. She was the second youngest of 6 children and is survived by her older sister, Erlyne Snow. Rose married John Edward Christensen of Waterville, Kansas in 1951. John joined the Army and Rose began the life of the military wife. She had three children, all boys, John Edward, Paul Evan and David Edgar. John had childhood leukemia and passed at age 3 in 1956. Paul is married to Chong Hui Christensen and David is married to Lethu Christensen. Rose has three grandchildren from Paul’s marriage, Danielle, Amanda and John. Amanda is married to Jonathan Graef and John is married to Tara Purdham. John and Tara gave Rose two great-grandchildren, Natalie and Noah. Rose also has two step-grandchildren from David’s marriage, Andrew and Monica.

Rose Marie raised her children and began work with the federal government in 1977 as a clerk typist. She returned to college in the early 1980’s and earned her Bachelor of Science diploma from the University of Maryland in 1986. Rose continued to advance in her career and retired in 2003 after 26 years as a GS13. Her last position prior to retirement was as Manager of the Army’s Freedom of Information Office. After retirement from the government Rose continued to work part time at Curves, where she would assist others with their workouts.

Rose was devoted to her Family and many other causes including Meals on Wheels, Red Cross and she loved animals. Rose learned to scuba dive and snow ski. She went on a 10-day white water rafting trip down the Colorado River when she was in her 60’s and traveled to the Amazon in her 70’s. Rose had a strong connection to her religion and one high light of her life was being able to travel to Israel to see where Christ lived and preached.

Rose was well known for caring for and helping others and putting her whole heart into anything she tried to do. She had a sharp wit and was never shy in speaking her mind.

Viewing and services will be held at Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria, VA. on June 18th. More information is available at DemaineFuneralHomes.com or DignityMemorial.com.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to either the American Red Cross at https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/ or New Hope Housing at https://www.newhopehousing.org/get-involved/donate/online-donations/ . The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. New Hope Housing provides homeless families and individuals along the Route One Corridor of Fairfax County, Virginia with shelter and the tools to build a better life.