Margaret Christensen

Graveside services for long time ranch wife Margaret E. Christensen will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2008 at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, South Dakota. The Rev. Cliff Moore of Sundance, Wyoming will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home.Margaret Christensen, age 88, died on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home of natural causes. Margaret Christensen was born in Harlan, Iowa on September 23, 1919, the daughter of Simon and Annie (Anderson) Mathiasen. She graduated from Harlan High School and received her R.N. degree in 1940, from Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital Nursing School in Omaha, Nebraska.On April 14, 1941, she entered the United States Army as a second lieutenant serving as a nurse at Ft. Francis E. Warren Hospital until May 7, 1942.On March 28, 1942, Margaret married Lt. John F. Christensen at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming and shortly thereafter moved to Sturgis, South Dakota near Ft. Meade where John was stationed. Subsequent moves were made to Omaha, Nebraska, Palm Springs, California, Ft. Riley, Kansas and Paris, Texas.Upon John's discharge from the service after his return from Europe, they returned to the family ranch south of Gillette, Wyoming until his death on January 4, 1983. She remained on the ranch with her son until 1993 when she moved to Dallas, Texas to be near her daughter and grandson. In 1994, she returned to Gillette living in an apartment until November 1996, and thereafter at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home.Margaret worked as a registered nurse near where John was stationed after her discharge from the Army. After returning to the ranch, she cared for neighbors when the need arose. She was the 7th President of the Campbell County Cowbelles in 1960. Margaret assisted in all aspects of ranching including homemaking, cooking, fencing, calving, vaccinating calves and winter feeding. She was especially proud of the academic achievements of her children and grandson. Her hobbies were sewing and needlepoint.Margaret is survived by her son, John O. Christensen of Gillette, Wyoming; daughter, Judy B. Mortenson of Dallas, Texas; grandson, Jay E. Mortenson of Dallas, Texas; 2 brothers: George Mathiasen and Don Mathiasen; sister, Ruth Rahn and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a sister, Norma Lansman.Memorial contributions for technology in Campbell County Schools may be made to the Foundation for Excellence in Education, PO Box 3033, Gillette, Wyoming 82717. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.