Family and friends mourn the loss of Blanche W. Christensen, 96, Mahnomen, MN, who died peacefully on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Mahnomen Nursing Home.

Blanche was born April 19, 1912 to James Ernest and Betty Emma (Swanson) Barta in rural Lake Grove Township southeast of Waubun, MN. After attending District 10 country school, she graduated Waubun High School in 1930 where she was on the championship Waubun girl's basketball team. On September 15, 1931 she married Raymond E. "Ray" Christensen at Ogema, MN. They made their home in the Waubun area before moving to Mahnomen in the late 1930s where Ray operated a sand and gravel business until his retirement. Ray died September 22, 1977.

Blanche was employed at the Red Apple Cafe, Mahnomen, for several years. Beginning in 1955 until 1981, however, she held several positions with the Mahnomen County government; including Deputy County Auditor, Deputy County Recorder, and Acting County Assessor. She also worked one year (1969) with a State of Minnesota team conducting statewide property reassessments.

Blanche was a member of the Circles of Faith United Church of Christ, Waubun, and the VFW Auxiliary, Bejou, MN (9th Dist. VFW Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year - 1988). An active volunteer much of her life she contributed time and energy to her church, the Headwaters Regional Development Commission, Mahnomen County Historical Society, Mahnomen County Council on Aging, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Mahnomen County Council on Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Center of Human Environment (founding organizer), and Mahube Community Council. She was honored at the Minnesota State Fair in 1982 as Mahnomen County Outstanding Senior Citizen of the year.

Blanche was a wonderful homemaker and cook --- although she was disappointed that her 1950s homemade Chef Boyardee wild duck pizza never really caught on with her family. In addition to her volunteer work, Blanche was an avid and excellent gardener, seamstress, crafter and quilter. She enjoyed camping, fishing, grouse hunting, travel, playing cards and time with her many friends. She set high standards, achieved great things, was a model example to all who knew her, and is fondly remembered by a number of her grandchildren and others as "The Old Wise One". Her faith in God sustained her in her life on earth and will carry her to her well-deserved reward in heaven. Godspeed, Blanche.

Blanche is survived by: three sons: Raymond D. (Marilyn) Christensen of Mt. Rest, SC; Terry C. (Jo Anne) Christensen of Pillager, MN; and Ronald R. (Sharon) Christensen of White Earth Lake, Ogema, MN; ten grandchildren: Jennie (David) Hendry, Hollywood, FL; Rebecca (Mike) Sobeck and James (Michelle) Christensen of Mt. Rest, SC; Charyl (Jerome) Bachmeier, Prior Lake, MN; Curtis (Jennifer) Christensen, Brainerd, MN; Eric (Farida) Christensen, Elk Grove, CA; Kimberly (David) Poch, Germantown, MD; Robin (James) Florwick, Frederick, MD; Christopher (Shelly) Christensen, Hagerstown, MD; and Tim (Heidi) Winn of Golden Valley, MN;
eighteen great grandchildren, seven step-great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Marcy Barta; and her "extended" families descending from John Hariluk and Rudy Broucek.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Donald O. Barta.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Circles of Faith United Church of Christ, Waubun, MN with Reverend Jennifer A Amy-Dressler officiating. Visitation will take place one hour before the service and, also, the evening before starting at 5:00 p.m. followed by a short prayer service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009 at the above church. Anyone desiring to attend either service is welcome. Interment will be at Riverside Memorial Cemetery, Highway 59 South, Mahnomen, MN. Donations in lieu of flowers in Blanche's name can be sent to Circles of Faith United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 113, Waubun, MN 56589.