Alice Palma Christenson

ALICE PALMA (POLLY) CHRISTENSON died Wednesday, August 3, 2005, at St. Anne Extended Care in Winona, Minn. Polly was born on July 10, 1916, in Mount Vernon, South Dakota to Rev. Torger and Clara Thompson. She attended and graduated from High School at Augustana Academy in 1934. She attended and graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1939. Polly was employed by Fillmore County Social Services as a Welfare worker. She married Winton (Christy) Christenson of Preston on July 4, 1942, at Dell church in Frost, Minn. She lived in South Carolina, North Carolina and Alabama during her husband's military years until 1946. Polly & Christy moved to Rushford in 1946 and purchased the local pharmacy. She worked off and on with her husband, Christy, at the pharmacy until it was sold in 1977, after 31 years of ownership. In 1958 Polly & Christy adopted 3 children; Beverly (Helleland), Paul & John. Polly was a member, with her husband, at Rushford Lutheran Church in Rushford, Minn., where she served her term as WELCA President and sang in the church choir for many years. She was active in the community including; American Legion Club, Rushford Historical Society, Den Mother of Cub Scouts, Ferndale Country Club, Good Shepherd Lutheran Nursing Home Foundation Board Member and Volunteer, Volunteer at the Semcac Senior Center, Volunteer at the Rushford Elementary Reading Program, and member of the Mill Street Inn Ladies Round Table. She is preceded in death by a brother; Stanley Thompson of Minneapolis, her parents, her husband, Christy who passed away in 1986, a Grandson David LaFleur, son of Beverly Helleland and Maynard LaFleur. She is survived by her three children: Beverly Helleland, Paul Christenson, John Christenson, 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren. The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, at the Rushford Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Roger Michaelson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.