Dorothy Christen

Dorothy L. Christen, 77, of Wadena, Iowa passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union, Iowa.

Dorothy Louise, the daughter of Arnold and Mabel (Evanson) Stegen, was born December 24, 1937 on a farm near Decorah, Iowa.

She attended country schools in Winneshiek County and graduated from Decorah High School in 1956.

Dorothy was united in marriage with Jim Kingsley on June 16, 1956. The couple farmed in Winneshiek County for a few years before moving to a farm near Volga. 

After Jim’s death in 1982, Dorothy was united in marriage with Dave Christen on July 25, 1986. 

Dorothy worked in the upholstery business in Volga and Wadena for over twenty years. 

Dorothy served as a firefighter in Wadena for twenty-one years and as a First Responder for thirty-two years.  She was very active in the Wadena American Legion Auxiliary, the Midwest Tool Collectors Association, and held various offices for the National and Iowa Blacksmith and Welders Association Auxiliary. She was a member of the Illyria Community Church, Ladies Aid and CHI-ANEDAW.

Dorothy never let anyone in pain or sorrow go without, any help she could give. Although she was unable to have children, she was a mother to her nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many foster children, loving them all as her own. She also loved to take pictures as long as she wasn’t in them.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Dave, of Wadena, Iowa; her son, Shane (Bobbie) Christen of Red Wing, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Myra and Willie; Lesleigh Miller of Lapeer, Michigan, who was like a daughter to Dorothy; two sisters, Lavonne Bussey of Sacramento, California; and Arla Schmidt of Fayette, Iowa; one brother, Arlan (Lois) Stegen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three sisters-in-law, Helen Stegen of Waukon, Iowa; Evie Kingsley of Bluffton, Iowa; and Marlene Welch of Waukon, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents; two brothers who died as children, Kenny and Kenneth; two brothers, Lyle and Ronnie Stegen; and her brother-in-law, Jerry Kingsley. 

In Lieu of flowers, memorials in Dorothy’s honor, may be sent to the Illyria Cemetery Association, PO Box 201, Elgin, IA 52141.

Visitation was on Friday, October 2, 2015 from 4-7 pm at the Illyria Community Church, rural Elgin, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral Services were held at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Illyria Community Church, rural Elgin, Iowa with Pastor Pam Reinig as the Officiant.

Burial was held in the Illyria Cemetery, rural Elgin, Iowa.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elgin, Iowa helped the family with the arrangements.      40u40