Obituary: Christensen, Irene Jeanette (Kulseth)
Age 88
Jeanette was born on April 28, 1926, at the Wittenburg Hospital in Williston, ND, to John and Minnie (Olson) Kulseth.
She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
She was married to Ernest Christensen on November 1, 1947, in Williston, ND.
She and Ernie were married for 65 years.
Jeanette attended grade school at Formosa No.
3 in Cow Creek Township, ND, and attended high school for one year in Williston, then graduated from high school in Bainville, MT, in 1944.
In the Fall of 1944, Jeanette signed on to work for the Navy Department in Washington, DC, where she worked until May of 1945 when she came home to help her Dad put in the Spring crop so her brother Orville could attend all activities for graduating seniors in school.
In the Fall of 1945, Jeanette went to work for the Williams County Agent, Don Hotchkiss.
Throughout her life, Jeanette had various jobs.
She taught school in Medicine Lodge in Stoney Creek Township, Williams County, ND, for a year and a half until the school was dismantled due to the Garrison Dam flooding.
She demonstrated for the Pepsi Cola Company and Bridgeman Creamery.
She worked at Hedderichs, and took her mother’s place for a couple of weeks at J.C. Penney Company when her Mother was ill - enabling her Mother to keep her jobs.
She was also a telephone operator at Mercy Hospital.
After moving to Casper, WY, she worked as night auditor for the Casper Town House Hotel.
Jeanette sold fund-raising candy for the Mason Candy Company and earned a trip for her and Ernie to Hollywood, CA.
She sold Avon for over eight years, winning many awards, including a trip to Las Vegas.
In 1994, she and Ernie moved to Spokane Valley, WA, to be near their daughter and son-in-law.
Jeanette had double knee surgery in 1993 and had 4-bypass heart surgery in 2006, followed by both hips being replaced.
Ernie told everyone all they were waiting for was her new head!
She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley, WA.
She was also a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and the Veteran of Foreign War Ladies’ Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest (in 2013), by her grandparents, Christ and Ingeborg Olson; her parents John and Minnie (Olson) Kulseth; Step-Father Selmer Nestegard; infant brother Raymond Kulseth; brothers Orville Kulseth and Dale Kulseth; and sons Roger Christensen (in 1971); Raymond Christensen (in 1996); and John Christensen (in 2003).
She is survived by her daughter Judy (Ken) Anderson of Spokane Valley, WA; son Jerry (Karen) Christensen of Littleton, CO; and 5 grandchildren - Keni (David) Campbell of Juneau, AK; Patrick (Brenda) Christensen of Casper, WY; Kara Czernik of Spokane, WA; Jodi (Max) Borino of Casper, WY; and Jennifer (Phil) Jordan of Centennial, CO; a step-grandchild - Kristi (Gabe) Steele of Golden, CO; and great-grandchildren - Tyler and Cody Campbell; Taylor and Tanner Christensen; Breana, Morgan, and Derek Borino; Elias Jordan and Hailey Brown; and a step-great-grandchild - Zane Steele.
The family would like to thank the Sullivan Park Care Center in Spokane Valley, WA, for the care given to Irene Jeanette for the past few years - especially the nurses and aides in the 200 Hall.
Funeral arrangements were provided by Thornhill Valley Funeral Home in Spokane Valley, WA, and Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home in Williston, ND.
Services will be held at the Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home in Williston, ND.