Gertrude Christianson, 102, of Thief River Falls, MN died on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Oak Park Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, MN (note church location) at 11:00 AM with Reverend Joseph Abrahamson officiating. Burial will be at the Nazareth Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 19, 2007, 5 " 8 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls and also on Tuesday one hour prior to services at the church.

Gertrude Hanson was born at Echo, MN, Yellow Medicine County, October 25, 1904, the daughter of Norwegian immigrant Hans T. and Annie (Homme) Hanson. She was baptized November 24, 1904, at Rock Valle Church, Echo.

A girl in pioneer times, Gertrude's first language was Norwegian. Her formal education began in 1911 in Sioux Agency Township in Yellow Medicine County.

In 1912, Hans, Annie, Gertrude and younger sister Sanna moved to Section # 27 in Hickory Township, Pennington County, MN. Gertrudes fond childhood memories included attending School District # 9. She would herd cattle, rake hay with horses, carry water from the neighbor's well, and go berry picking with her sister. Rev. Sivert Leirfallom confirmed Gertrude November 14, 1920, at Nazareth Lutheran Church.

The oldest of five, Gertrudes education was interrupted when the Hanson family needed extra help during several serious illnesses including the 1918 flu epidemic. She graduated from the 8th grade in 1922, and then attended high school in Gully and in Thief River Falls. Gertrude worked for her room and board and held numerous part time jobs. In 1925 she was graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.

In January 1926, Gertrude enrolled at Mayville State Teachers College in North Dakota and graduated in December of that year. She taught in one-room country schools in North Dakota and in Polk and Pennington Counties, MN, from January 1927 to 1936. Gertrude valued her teaching jobs and the opportunity to meet the school families. Many of her former students were her life-long friends and neighbors.

While Gertrude taught at the Little Oak School District # 65, Orville Christianson stopped by the schoolhouse to meet the red haired teacher. On July 2, 1936, at Nazareth Church, Gertrude and Orville were married. They lived on Orville's family farm, the Christianson homestead, in Section # 2 of Hickory Township. Their daughters Arlene, Corrine and Corella were raised there.

Gertrude assisted with the daily farm chores, especially the dairy cattle and the chickens. She was also a 4-H leader. Gertrude led by example. She believed in planning, moderation and was creative and resourceful. She was an active member of the Little Oak and, later, Nazareth Church and Ladies Aid. Gertrudes faith included singing and being a good steward.

Gertrude's Palmer-method handwriting was her trademark, as were her letters and daily calendar notes. More personally, she wrote poetry and numerous journals. Her extensive archives have enabled her daughters and grandchildren to learn and preserve much of their Hanson and Christianson heritage.

Gertrudes outdoor interests included fishing and feeding the birds. In her later decades, she sewed baby quilts, placemats and crocheted potholders.

Gertrude's kitchen legacy included strawberry/rhubarb jam, beef roast, potato soup and the bread she baked weekly until age 93. Her sons-in-law, grandchildren, neighbors and nephews appreciated her homemade bread.

In 1998 Gertrude and Orville moved to Thief River Falls where they lived at Valley Home and Oakland Park Nursing Home. Friends and family joined Gertrude for her 100th birthday reception in October 2004.

Gertrude is survived by her daughters Arlene (Stanley) Pickard, of Vancouver, WA, Corrine (Milton) Haugen of Moorhead, MN and Corella (Orlan) Thorbeck of Plymouth, MN; grandchildren Amy (Jacob) Foley of Brooklyn Park, MN, Mark Haugen of Minneapolis, MN, Paul Thorbeck (Amy Schneider) of Minneapolis, MN, Ted Thorbeck of College Park, MD; great-grandchildren Sofia and Lucy Foley; step grandchildren Ryan Pickard of Phoenix, AZ and Victoria (Jerry) Crowl and step great-grandchild Nicole Crowl of McAlester, OK; one sister Luella Arveson of Thief River Falls, MN and one sister-in-law Evelyn Hanson of Clearbrook, MN. She is also survived by nieces Carol Torgerson, Eunice Krogstad, Amy Jo McMahon, Grace Bovee, Beverly Bakken, Olive Ferden, Donna Bruce and nephews Howard Hanson, Lyle Hanson, Dale Arveson, Gene Arveson, Kenny Hansen, Bruce Moen, Clyde Moen, Clayton Moen, Earl Roed and Ronald Roed.

Gertrude is preceded in death by her parents, husband Orville Christianson, sister Sanna (Arnold) Brovold; brothers Harry (Nora) Hanson and Walter Hanson; brothers-in-law Clifford Arveson, Carl Christianson and Merritt Christianson; sisters-in-law Mable Christianson, Gladys Hansen, Alice Moen and Mae Roed; nephews Gay Brovold, Vernon Christianson and Edward Hansen; nieces Baby Girl Christianson, Betty Blokzyl, Marie Headley, Ellen Kay and Dianne Roed.

ORGANIST; Nancy Teigland
SOLOIST: Les Torgerson Silent Night and Children of The Heavenly Father
CONGREGATIOANL HYMNS: O Happy Day When We Shall Stand #590 Lord, Keep us Steadfast in Thy Word #589
PALLBEARERS: Amy and Jacob Foley, Mark Haugen, Paul Thorbeck and Amy Schneider, Ted Thorbeck, Ryan Pickard, Victoria and Jerry Crowl, Nicole Crowl, Stanley Pickard, Milton Haugen, Orlan Thorbeck.
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Former Students and Nazareth Church Ladies Aid.