Barbara Jean Christensen

     Barbara Jean Christensen, the daughter of Howard and Stella (Cook) Hildreth, was born December 12, 1929 in Emmet County, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent on the family farm east of Terril.  She received her early education at Twelve Mile Lake Township Country School and later graduated from Terril High School.  She married Harold Christensen on June 7, 1953 in Terril, Iowa. Following their marriage, they moved to the family farm near Royal.  She was an active farm wife, helping as needed.

    Barb was an engaged member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal where she served on various church committees and enjoyed volunteering. She was a skilled baker and shared her gift as the Superintendent of Open Class Baked Goods at the Clay County Fair for 18 years.  Additionally, Barb was an involved 4-H Leader and she volunteered at St. Luke’s Auxiliary for over 30 years.  Her family was extremely important to her and she especially enjoyed her role as a wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma.

     Barbara passed away on June 27, 2023 at the Spencer Hospital at the age of 93. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; her brother, Bruce Hildreth and sister-in-law, Joyce Hildreth; brothers-in-law, Don Mason and Amos Christensen, Jr. and sisters-in-law, Lois Mason and Virginia Christensen.  

     Left to cherish her memory are her  sons:  Ron (Maureen) Christensen and Kent (Nicole) Christensen, all of Spencer and her daughter, Rochelle Christensen of Minneapolis, MN;  grandchildren: Clayton Christensen  (partner, Audrey Van Pelt Kalsow) and children: Jasmyn and Emerson Christensen and RJ and Laylah Kalsow; Janessa (Kyle) Mechler and children: Rydia and Link Mechler; Amy Christensen (partner, Colby Thompson) and children: Stanley and Wyatt Byerly; Kurt (Erin) Christensen and children: Avery and Braylen Christensen; many nieces and nephews; special cousins: Jan, Ruth and Barb; other relatives and many friends.