Marlene Mae Christians

Little Rock, IA 

     Marlene Christians age 89, formerly of Ellsworth, MN died Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA.

     Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 26^th at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, with Reverend Barry Wynveen officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock.

     Visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

     Marlene Mae Christians was born on March 9, 1933, in Adrian, MN, the daughter of Harvey T. and Cora (Ostrem) Kruse. She grew up on the family farm and attended District 12 Country School there.

     On March 25, 1954, Marlene was united in marriage to Henry K. Christians at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Rushmore, MN. To this union two children were born, Gaylord and Rhonda. Following their marriage, they lived on the Christians family farm near Little Rock for a time. After Marlene’s husband went off to serve in the military, she lived with him on base at Fort Sheridan in Illinois. They later moved to West Allis, WI (a suburb of Milwaukee), where Marlene worked for Briggs and Stratton for thirty years. After retiring in 1998 she moved to Ellsworth, MN.

     Marlene loved to dance, cook, bake, and go fishing. She was also known for her ability to yodel.

     Marlene is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Christians (Neal) Littrel of Pine River, WI; two grandchildren, Kyle Littrel of Waupaca, WI, and Alta (Xander) Krohnfeldt of St. Paul, MN; one brother, Eldon “Babe” Kruse of Adrian, MN; nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey, and Cora Kruse; husband, Henry Christians in 1997; son, Gaylord Christians; and four siblings, Avis Fletcher, Dwaine Kruse, Deloris “Tootsie” Kopplow and Delmer “Pocket” Kruse.