Janelle Rose Christensen, age 90, of Houston, Minn., passed peacefully on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Valley View Healthcare in Houston, Minn. She is reunited with her husband Niel in heaven.
Janelle was born October 16, 1934, in Harlan, Iowa, the daughter of Victor and Frances (Christensen) Curtis. She grew up in Harlan, Iowa. While in high school, she met and fell in love with Niel Christensen. After graduating from Harlan High School, they were married on June 9, 1953. The couple celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2023. Through those years, farming opportunities led the couple from Jacksonville, Iowa, to Guthrie Center, Iowa, and eventually they settled in Houston, Minn. She filled every home with love and devoted her life to their 13 children. Janelle was the matriarch to over 130 descendants.
Janelle’s kitchen was always bustling with activity whether she was canning, baking or “cooking on high heat.” She could feed an army in a moment’s notice with her skill and resourcefulness. Her summers were filled with harvesting and canning produce from her large garden. She found joy in feeding people and made many trips to feed her husband and boys in the fields. She always had homemade chocolate syrup and ice cream, fresh baked cookies, or raisins and chocolate chips for the grandkids. She loved all of them!
From an early age, Janelle became a skilled seamstress making her own wedding dress and clothing for herself and her children. She was an avid quilter and her quilting creations are treasured gifts to her family. Christmas traditions were particularly special, and she worked tirelessly to make the season special by making homemade gifts and Danish puff.
After their children reached school age, Janelle worked outside the home in various roles as a florist, caterer, and eventually as a telephone operator at Ace Telephone in Houston, Minn., until she retired. In her community, Janelle was active in garden club, her quilting club “PieceMakers” and her church circle at Cross of Christ Church. In their earlier years, Janelle played the piano as she and Niel sang duets at church services and at the nursing home.
Janelle will be remembered for her faith in God, intelligence, creativity, resilience, wit, and a heart that never seemed to tire. She will be deeply missed.
Janelle is survived by her 13 children: Debbie (Jack) Coffman, Cynthie Christensen, Kent (Eileen), Tony (Becky), Alan (Karen), Cokie (Chris) Nelson, Joni (Bryan) Mehus, Wendi (David) Kuehner, Gwen (Tim) Nelson, Niel (Julie), Nathan (Laura), Lynda (Jay) McNamer, and Stephanie (Jesse) McNamer; her grandchildren: Bryan (Joni), Aaron, Kerri (Josh), Kristin (Clark), Jace, Marie (Fred), Nina (Kerry), Sandi, Erin (Matt), Hali (Cale), Lucas (Jessica), April (Brent), Shawn (Grace), Raychel (Pete), Maria (Kirby), Karalee, Cade, Chas, Chance (Abbi), Ryan (Kayla), Richell (Rocky), Randi (Justin), Christian, Saerina (Greg), Benjamin, Elizabeth, Alaina, Craig, Melinda, Nicole (Brad), K-LaRae, Logan, Kyle, Jaden, Cody (Natalie), Gage (Matia), Brynn (Scott), Tony, Bailey (Ellen), Dustin (Mackenzie), Sierra (Phil) and Jordan (Ashley). In addition, she has 40 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her in-laws Ronnie and Barb Christensen, Randy and Elizabeth Christensen, Peggy Christensen and Janice Christensen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Niel, her grandsons Adam and Clynton Christensen, sisters Marjorie Howell and Louree (Larry) Petersen, and in-laws Judi and Roger Alexander, Lynn Christensen and Gary Christensen.
Her memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church with the Reverend Len Liptack officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. She will be laid to rest with Niel at Oak Ridge Cemetery near Houston, Minn.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Valley View Healthcare and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful love and care Janelle received while there.
Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service – Houston is assisting the family with arrangements. www.hofffuneral.com
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