Elaine Christensen

Elaine Augusta Christensen (Bert), 90, the daughter of W. Earl and Dina (Hespen) Schaeffer, was born on Sept. 23, 1930, on a farm near Davenport, Neb. She died Dec. 2, 2020, at the Parkview Haven Nursing Home at Deshler, Neb.

Bert was one of seven children. She attended District 53 country school and Ruskin Public School. She graduated valedictorian from Ruskin High School with the Class of 1948.

Bert was united in marriage to Willard Lee Christensen on Jan. 21, 1951, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Deshler. This union was blessed with three children, Patricia, Bruce and Mark.

Bert was baptized into the Christian Faith as an infant and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Deshler on June 25, 1944. Bert served the Lord and church throughout her life as a Bible school teacher, altar guild member and was an active member of the women’s group managing the greeting card sales for many years. She participated in a weekly non-denominational Bible study group not only serving as leader but providing transportation for those that needed it as well as morning rolls and coffee.

Bert’s greatest accomplishments in life were evident through her devotion as a wife, mother, grandmother and partner on the family farm. Only Bert could bake chocolate chip cookies that neatly fit into a Pringle’s can for her fella’s afternoon break. Each December she worked throughout the month to bake Christmas cookies, dinner rolls, and coffee cakes to share with family and friends. She never missed a chance to provide homemade ice cream and her famous hot fudge topping for family birthday celebrations. Bert labored along Bill’s side doing chores, gathering eggs, working in the fields on the little Ford tractor and cutting the thistles out of pastures.

Bert had a spunky sense of humor making some of the tedious jobs of farm life fun. Even in her later life, she provided her care givers with a comment now and again that made them laugh brightening their day as they provided care for her and others.

Bert was never about herself but was always in service for others whether it be family or friends. She provided loving care for her grandchildren and for her elderly mother, mother and father in-law and friends in the Ruskin community. Bert shared her strong faith in God and the promise of eternal life through what she did every day, how she lived her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Dina Schaeffer; her husband, Willard, on Dec. 5, 2003; grandson, Bryce Mooren; sisters, Irene (John) Davis, Pauline (Victor) Fisher, and Mildred Schaeffer; brothers, Eugene Schaeffer and Harry Schaeffer; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Buckles; parents-in-law. Oscar and Thora Christensen; and brothers-in-law, Donald (Pauline) Christensen and Benjamin (Charlotte) Christensen.

Survivors include her daughter, Pat (Jim) File of Courtland; and sons, Bruce (Cheryl) Christensen of Hardy, and Mark (Joni) Christensen of Lincoln, Neb .; sister, Helen Buckles of Superior; sisters-in-law, Aleene Schaeffer Mills of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Harriet Schaeffer of Sallisaw, Okla .; seven grandchildren: Amanda (Alex) Reisenweber of Lafayette, Colo .; Krista (James) McKay of Augusta, Kan .; Dana (Russell) Zook of Kingfisher, Okla .; April Christensen of Denver, Colo .; Tyler (Fiance Lindsay Brown) Christensen of Ruskin; Megan Christensen of Lincoln, Neb., and Bryce Christensen of Lincoln, Neb .; seven greatgrandchildren: Isla and Avenn Reisenweber, Kelly, Mavis and Kirk McKay, Norah and Holt Zook; other relatives and a host of friends.

Her funeral was held on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior, with the Rev. Lori E. L. Kitzing officiating.

Music was “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Because He Lives” with vocalist Brad Schultz.

Pallbearers were Tyler Christensen, Bryce Christensen, Megan Christensen, Dana Zook, April Christensen and Krista McKay.

Interment was in the Spring Creek Cemetery at Ruskin.

Memorials are suggested to go to the family.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Neb. 68978 or in care of http://www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior was in charge of the arrangements.