Service Information
Joyce A. Christianson, age 85, of Hutchinson, Mother of Gary Christianson, passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 8, 2017, at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the Valley View Cemetery in Broadus, Montana at a later date.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at 9:00 A.M., Saturday morning until the time of service at the church.
Obituary
Joyce Ann Christianson was born November 23, 1931 in Miles City, Montana. She was the daughter of Ora and Dovie (Childres) Bethke. She graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City Montana.
On November 23, 1950, Joyce was united in marriage to Oscar Gordon Christianson. They had three children. Joyce and Gordon resided in Broadus, Montana; Clara City, Minnesota; Belle Fourche, South Dakota; and North Platte, Nebraska. They shared 56 years of marriage before Gordon passed away. Joyce moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota, following her husband’s death and remained there for the last 10 years of her life.
Joyce and Gordon owned and operated a chain of 3 department stores in Belle Fourche, South Dakota; Broadus, Montana, and Miles City, Montana, for 13 years. Joyce was also employed in the business offices of several medical practices. Joyce worked hard at whatever job she had in order for her children to have the opportunity to further their education and she took pride in their accomplishments.
Joyce enjoyed playing cards and was a member of several bridge clubs. She loved reading, watching movies and working on various puzzles. She loved listening to music and was once a pianist for her church. She had a very strong Christian faith and was usually involved in a Bible study group and church circle. She was an active member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
Joyce passed away at the Harmony River Living Center on July 6, 2017, at the age of 85. Blessed be her memory.
Joyce is survived by her:
Children, Gary Christianson and his wife, Peggy of Dassel, MN,
Dean Christianson and his wife, Susan of Ashley, ND;
Son-in-Law, Ed Eller of Onida, SD;
Grandchildren, Ashley Eller, Mike Christianson and his wife, Lara, Evan Christianson and his wife, Eva, Marcus Christianson and his wife, Paige;
Six Great-Grandchildren;
Many other relatives and friends.
Joyce is preceded in death by her Parents, Ora and Dovie Bethke; Husband, Gordon Christianson; and Daughter, Brenda Joyce Eller.
Jay Engel says
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I have lived in North Platte for the past 25 years and your dad invited me to Kiwanis as a young man. Your parents were both absolutely wonderful people and I have missed them dearly. We still maintain the memorial playground at our local homeless shelter that we dedicated in your dad’s name. Thank you for printing your mom’s obituary in the North Platte paper– it brought good feelings to my soul. If you ever happen to be in North Platte on a Tuesday over lunch, I know that many Kiwanians would be thrilled to see you! God Bless– Jay Engel
Nancy Clevenger says
Joyce helped me a lot several years ago with the Childers family geneology, including sending me old family photos. She & my dad shared a lot of great times together growing up (he has the stories to prove it), and she reminded me of her mother, my Aunt Dovie, who I also loved dearly. She will be missed by many. It has been a very difficult time for Gary, Dean and the rest of her loved ones. Nancy Clevenger
Betty Knepke-Hamit says
It saddens me to read about your mother’s passing. We were First Lutheran friends. My deceased husband, your father, Glen Cofer and I would usher together once a month at First Lutheran. Then the 3 couples would share a meal together. I always enjoyed your mother’s friendship. Your mother and I were members of Ruth Circle. When she moved to Minnesota, Ruth Circle members would wait eagerly for her Christmas letter which I gladly shared with them. She made a delicious chocolate cake also on your father’s birthday because the usher group got to celebrate Gordon’s birthday – courtesy of your mother. Their 50th wedding celebration was also a wonderful event that I was privileged to attend. Even if Joyce wasn’t born in South Dakota – as I was – she lived there, so I considered her an extra special lady. Thank you for allowing The Telegraph to print her obituary. She left us with a lot of wonderful memories. Blessings to the family. Betty Knepke-Hamit