Loretta Christensen

LORETTA CHRISTENSEN, age 97, of DeKalb, formerly of Maple Park, passed away Monday, March 11, 2013 at the DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where she had recently made her home. BORN: She was born October 6, 1915, in Maple Park, IL, the daughter of Nels and Hansine (Olesen) Larsen.EARLY YEARS:She grew up in Maple Park and attended local schools. Loretta graduated from Maple Park High School in 1933. While still in high school, Loretta moved in with Charles and Lillie Christensen. After high school, she stayed and worked for the family by helping on the farm. After Lillie’s passing, she helped to raise the children as well. The bond formed between she and Charlie grew naturally into love and before long, they were united in marriage 1939. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: Loretta and Charlie continued to farm and raise a family. After the kids were raised, they left the farm and moved to Maple Park on Liberty St. She continued to live there after Charlie’s passing in 1974 until declining health brought her into the care Heritage Woods in DeKalb in 2010. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Without the fields and livestock to tend, Loretta found work as a cook at the Little Traveler in Geneva for a time. Later she worked at the Maple Park Cafe. She also cleaned local homes before becoming a nanny for a family in Geneva for twenty years. MEMBERSHIPS: She was a faithful, and one of the longest serving members, of Grace United Methodist Church in Maple Park. Her baking was legendary and longstanding as she baked until her 93rd birthday. The pies that graced the tables at Maple Park Legion fish fries and bake sale were mouthwatering and always in demand. SURVIVORS: She is survived by her stepdaughter, Helen Schramm of Hampshire and her family, and Stepson, Phillip Christensen of Thailand and his family; One step-great granddaughter, Karen Stephan and her son Cole Daniel Stephan, both of Alaska; One brother, Alfred Larson in Florida;A sister-in-law, Madonna Wise of Colorado, many nieces, nephews and a community of friends. PRECEDED:She is preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Hansine Larsen, two sisters, Marion and Metta; three brothers: Claude, Edward and Robert and one step-granddaughter Judy Christensen. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 12:30-1:45 p.m., with a funeral to follow at 2 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 506 Willow St., Maple Park, IL, Thursday, March 14, 2013. Rev. Eun Young Ko, pastor of the church will officiate with interment to follow at Gardner Cemetery, Maple Park. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Loretta Christensen Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com where you can also find her full life story.

Visitation will be from 12:30-1:45 p.m., with a funeral to follow at 2 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 506 Willow St., Maple Park, IL, Thursday, March 14, 2013. Rev. Eun Young Ko, pastor of the church will officiate.

Interment to follow at Gardner Cemetery, Maple Park