Mary Lou Christenson

Mary Lou passed away peacefully at Regina Assisted Living after a long journey with dementia.

Mary Lou was born in Crookston, Minnesota to Clarence and Viola (Parduhn) Baker. They moved to Minneapolis when Mary Lou was young. She attended Roosevelt High School and went on to Augsburg College. While at Augsburg she met Erwin Christenson, and they were married August 22, 1959. Erwin and Mary Lou lived in Rushford, Minnesota and Reedsburg, Wisconsin before moving to Hastings in 1970. She made a career out of many different administrative positions including with Dakota County, St. Phillip’s, Cenex/Land O’Lakes, Norwest Banking, Star Gazette, and Hastings Public Schools.

Mary Lou was a sweet, kind, and helpful person. She always had a smile and loved to talk with everyone. She enjoyed traveling and took many trips with friends. She also took great pleasure in volunteering at St. Philip’s church, at the LeDuc Mansion, and driving for Meals on Wheels. Mary Lou loved going on road trips with Erwin, going to the family cabins, having grandkids sleep over, and making Sunday dinners. Most of all she loved spending time with her family. Many holidays were celebrated at Erwin and Mary Lou’s house over the years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Erwin, her mother, and her father. She is survived by her two children Kay (Tim) Rowan and Scott (Lori) Christenson. She is also survived by six grandchildren Timmy (Katy) Rowan, Katie Rowan, Amy Rowan, Annie Rowan, Victoria Christenson, and Adam Christenson. She was also blessed with four great grandchildren- Hunter, Cameron, Lucas, and Alex Rowan, along with many great friends and extended family members. Our family would like to thank the staff at Regina Assisted Living and Grace Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Mary Lou over the years.

In lieu of flowers, Mary Lou’s family would request memorials to be made to Hastings Family Service or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2023, at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Hastings. Family and friends are invited to a visitation for one hour prior to the service with the burial to follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings. Starkson Family Life Celebration is assisting the family.

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