Idella Christensen

Idella Ramona Christensen, 88, of Parker, SD passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 19, 2017 surrounded by her family. The family will be present for a visitation beginning at 5:30PM Sunday, October 22, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church in Parker, SD. A prayer service will immediately follow at 6:30PM. On Monday, October 23, 2017, interment will be held at Rosehill Cemetery in Parker, SD at 10:00AM. A memorial service celebrating her life in thanksgiving to God will be held at 11:00AM at Grace Lutheran Church. Idella was born on December 24, 1928 to Albert and Ottilia (Heckenliable) Delzer and was raised on a family farm near Menno, SD. She attended a rural country school west of Freeman, SD for eight years before graduating from Freeman High School in 1947. On August 29, 1948, Idella married her soulmate, Jerome Christensen. They settled on the family farm west of Freeman, SD. This union lasted 69 loving years. Jerome’s farming opportunities brought them to Parker, SD in 1956. Jerome and Idella became members of Grace Lutheran Church and have remained faithful to the parish for the last 61 years. Idella found great joy in serving her church family and was involved in WELCA, the choir, and served as a Sunday school teacher. Demonstrating their inseparable connection, Jerome and Idella worked side-by-side at Farmer’s Union Coop for 30 years. On December 8, 1952, they welcomed their only son, Steven Jerome. Idella doted on her three granddaughters and felt beyond blessed for the nine great grandchildren that followed. Great Grandma Idella will forever be remembered for her endless candy treats and her support in all activities. There was never a mess too big or a chaos too loud for Great Grandma Idella’s basement. Idella and Jerome found immense pleasure in getting together with family and friends, either playing cards or enjoying a cup of coffee around the dining room table. Bus trips were another source of pleasure for them to getaway and spend time together. Grateful for having shared her life include her soulmate, Jerome; her son, Steven (Deone) Christensen, of Parker, SD; and three granddaughters, Monie (Heath) Siemonsma of Humboldt, SD, Stephanie (Jim) Even of Parker, SD and Amy (Greg) Johnson of Chester, SD. Her nine great grandchildren include: Brayden, Connor and Alex Siemonsma, Tanner, Alexis and Andrew Even, and Gavin, Grady and Avery Johnson. She was welcomed at Heaven’s gates with loving arms by her parents and her in-laws.