Geraldine Christensen, age 95 of Stanton passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Sheridan Community Hospital.

Geraldine was the third of five daughters born to William and Lena (Wulff) Jorgensen. She was born on April 20, 1921 in Pine Township, Montcalm County, Michigan. Her mother died when Geraldine was six years old. Ten years later, her father married Ferne Ellafrits and she again knew the joy of having a mother and younger siblings in her home.

Geraldine attended Lakeview High School, Montcalm County Normal and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University in 1968. She taught her first year at Lakeview and then taught five delightful years in a one-room school in Entrican.

Leroy Christensen returned home from serving in the Army Air Forces in England and they were married on June 29, 1946. He preceded her in death on November 17, 2002. Their home was blessed with three daughters and three sons. When her youngest daughter was school-age, Geraldine returned to her teaching career. She retired in 1983 from Central Montcalm Public schools, completing 27 years of teaching.

She was preceded in death by her husband, infant son, Dennis; her parents, William & Lena Jorgensen; step mother, Ferne Jorgensen; mother and father-in-law, Laura and Thorkild Christensen; seven brothers-in-law, Lawrence E. Devine, Martin Smith, Vernon Ellsworth, Wilbur Sagendorf, Charles Crooks, Carl Thompson and Richard Lavender; two sisters-in-law, Mabel Crooks and Lucille Thompson and four sisters, Iola Devine, Hazel Smith, Dorothea Ellsworth and Jean Zimmerman.

She is survived by her children: Carma Christensen of Stanton, Brian & Connie Christensen of Lakeland, Florida, Robert & Diane Christensen of Shelby, North Carolina, Kathryn & Gerald Goodell of Lakeland, Florida, Jeanette & Marvin Emmons of Greenville. Her grandchildren: Leeanna Emmons, Tami Emmons, Katrina & Tim Hutchins, Robert Goodell, Christopher Goodell, Craig & Jami Christensen, Chad Christensen, Curt & Anna Christensen, Carrie Christensen, Benjamin Christensen, Cassandra Christensen. Her great grandchildren, Angel Marie Evans, Karen Emmons, Riley, Reese and Reagan Hutchins; Robert Cherokee Jr.,; Brendon Goodell; Cuylee, Jessa, Clayton and Janae Christensen, Connor and Sawyer Christensen. Her siblings: William & Clara Jorgensen; Ned Jorgensen; Evelyn Jorgensen. Two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law: Myrle Sagendorf, Ardith Lavender and Robert Zimmerman and many dear nieces, nephews and friends.

Geraldine was a member of the First Baptist Church in Stanton since 1964, where she taught children’s classes and worked on various committees, especially those pertaining to missions. She loved her church and her Lord, whom she accepted as her Savior in April of 1944.

During her retirement, she has been an active member of the county/state chapters of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. She served two years as membership chairman of the Montcalm County chapter and many years as the chairman of the Benevolence Committee. Later in life Geraldine was also involved with the Montcalm County Visually Impaired Support Group.

Visitation with Geraldine’s family is being held on Friday, October 21, 2016 at the Simpson Family Funeral Home in Sheridan from 5-8 PM.

Funeral services for Geraldine will be on Saturday, October 22, 2016 beginning at 4 PM at the First Baptist Church in Stanton, with Pastor Jerry Goodell officiating. The family will also be receiving friends and family from 3-4 PM at the Church on Saturday. Final interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Entrican.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to either the First Baptist Church in Stanton or the Systemic Lupus Erythemotosus Foundation. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geraldine Christensen, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.