Alice Lee Christensen

Funeral Service for Alice Lee Christensen will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday February 17, 2014 at Family Life Church with Pastor Martin Crump officiating in Gillette, WY. Visitation will be held at 4:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m. Sunday February 16, 2014 at Walker Funeral Home in Gillette, WY.Alice Lee Christensen, age 90, passed away on February 11, 2014, at Pioneer Manor of natural causes. Alice Lee was born in Bethany, Missouri, on August 3, 1923, to Charles A. and Teresa Mildred (Oxford) Mankin. Her great Grandmother had waited all summer to see the baby and passed away the day after Alice Lee was born. It was her request that the baby's name be Alice which Mildred honored. The family of three moved by train to Wyoming in April of 1925. They lived on the 4J Ranch. Two brothers were born after they moved to Wyoming. In the years at the 4J Ranch she always talked fondly of a man named Mexican John. He told stories to Alice Lee, Charles, and Richard; and played cards with them. The 4J Ranch was a roadhouse, and people trailing cattle to town stopped and spent the night. She always quoted her Mother as saying "peal a potato for everyone here and one for the man coming over the hill."She started school in Gillette and stayed with her Grandparents. Later she attended New Hope and Bundy rural schools. She graduated from Campbell County High in 1941. Alice Lee worked for Preston Gilstrap in the County Assessor's Office and was very proud of the fact that they knew everyone in Campbell County when they came in to file their taxes. Later she attended the University of Wyoming and earned a B.S. degree in Business in 1948. She taught school at Campbell County High during the year of 1948 and 1949. Alice Lee and Charles "Bud" Christensen were married November 27, 1949, at her parent's home in rural Campbell County. They made their home on a ranch located in Southern Campbell County on Pumpkin Creek. At first they were involved in a family partnership but established their own ranching operation in 1961. During that time, two children were born to them: Janet Kay on August 11, 1951, in Gillette, Wyoming; and Robert Frederick born in Casper, Wyoming on January 1, 1954. Alice Lee taught rural schools in Campbell County. When Janet and Bob were ready for high school she moved to Laramie, Wyoming, during the winters so they could attend University Prep on the UW campus. While there she attended graduate school and held a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Wyoming. On June 4, 1967, she was awarded a Master's Degree in Education. Her Doctorate in Education was earned on December 21, 1973.After Bob graduated from high school Alice Lee was again on the ranch full time and took over the bookkeeping duties for the business. As ranches were purchased and the operation grew so did Alice Lee's responsibilities. In 1977, when Bob and Marilyn moved to the ranch Bud and Alice Lee moved to a condominium in Gillette. They traveled from ranch to ranch and when Alice Lee came home her bookkeeping responsibilities were always waiting for her. Everyone always recognized the fact that Alice Lee was a tremendous cook. She was also an authority on Campbell County history. This continued after her years in the Assessor's Office. She enjoyed sewing and made clothing for her family. Hobbies included reading and making latch hook rugs.Social activities included Savageton Homebuilders Extension Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Campbell County Cowbells, and Campbell County Woolgrowers. She also participated in the auxiliary for the National Salers Association known as the Salers Belles where she severed in several offices including president. Alice Lee is survived by her husband Bud Christensen of 64 years; daughter Janet Christensen and son Bob (Marilyn) Christensen; five grandchildren, Mark (Erika) Christensen, Julie (James) Innes, Marci, Angela, and James Christensen all of Gillette, Wyoming. She is also survived by two sister-in-laws Ruth Mankin and Donna Mankin. She was preceded in death by her brothers Charles Mankin and Richard "Dick" Mankin. A memorial has been established in Alice Lee's name. Memorials and Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences may also be sent via our website: www.walkerfuneralgillette.comFuneral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716