Joanne Christensen

Funeral Services for Joanne E. Christensen will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 15, at the Community Lutheran Church in Geneva, MN. The Rev. Dr. Kristen Venne will officiate. Interment will be in Geneva Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 on Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Ellendale and one hour before services at the church. Joanne was born on April 3, 1934, in rural Ellendale, the daughter of A. Carlyle and Wanda(Utpadel)Vangen. She graduated from Ellendale High School and received cosmetology training in Mankato. Joanne was united in marriage to Ronald "Chris" Christensen on June 13, 1953, in Ellendale. They made their home and raised their family in Geneva, where Joanne operated Jo’s Beauty Salon out of their home for more than 24 years. This enabled Joanne to also be a “stay at home” mom to their 5 children. Joanne and Ron spent their summers at their home on Round Lake near Garrison, MN and moved there permanently in 2006. Joanne and Ron wintered in Tropic Star Resort, Pharr, TX, for 8 years before Ron died in 2011. Joanne is survived by daughters: Pam (Rick) Cook of Hastings, MN, Rhonda (Derike) Shelton of Fairmont, MN, sons Scott (Cheri) Christensen of Albert Lea, MN, Steve (Rhonda) Christensen of Ellendale, MN, Jeff (Robin) Christensen of New Richland, MN. There are 13 grandchildren, Dani (Travis) Johnson and their children Kaitlyn(Mitch) Reinardy, Emma and Ava, Chris (Kristina) Cook and their children Ellie, Gage, Grant and Eden, Jordan (Jackie) Cook and children Brayden and Lauren, Tiffany Shelton(Matt Weichert), Cade Shelton and fiancé Gio Salvatore, Carrisa (Justin) Mika and their children Clair, Carson and Charlotte, Tessa (Jason) Hemmingsen, Jenna Christensen (Josh Funk), Kaleb Christensen (Heather) and daughter Brynna, Cody Christensen, Kelsey (Lance) Perkins and children Kaison and Rhylan, Matt(Jill) Christensen and children Maya, Cole and Warren, and Nick (Jenna) Christensen and baby on the way; great great grandchildren Sophia and Addison; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: include Sandra Vangen of White Bear Lake, MN, Kathleen Glynn of Owatonna, MN, Paul Christensen of Geneva, MN, Iris and Stan Jensen of Lakeville, MN and Lois and Jim Plunkett of Wisconsin; also survived by special relative and friend Hank Thompson of Ellendale and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wanda and Carlyle Vangen, three brothers Kenny, Odean Vangen and his wife Geraldine, and one in infancy; mother-in-law and father-in-law Hans and Carol Christensen.