Arlene D. (Trinrud) Christensen

Arlene Donna Christensen, age 92, died on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Bethany Home in Waupaca.  Arlene was born on January 4, 1925 to Alvin and Palma (Riste) Trinrud at home on the family farm in Sheridan, Wisconsin.  Arlene was a life-long member of Farmington Lutheran Church where she was baptized in 1925, confirmed in 1938, and married to LeRoy Christensen on October 11, 1947.  In her early years, she spoke Norwegian and became fluent in English before she started school.

Arlene attended Sheridan Grade School.  She would walk or ski across the fields or get a ride in the sleigh, the cutter, or the 1928 Chevrolet to get there.  She graduated from Scandinavia Union Free High School in 1943, at the time our country was engaged in World War II.

After high school, Arlene’s first job was at Hardware Mutual Insurance Company in Stevens Point.  Later, she worked as a bookkeeper at First National Bank in Waupaca.  After Arlene and LeRoy were married, they farmed for several years in the Iola, Ogdensburg and Sheridan areas.  They moved to Waupaca in 1962 and built their home on a piece of the Christensen family farm land.  They bought and operated the Chain O’Lakes Drive-In in King, and at the same time Arlene worked in food service for the Waupaca School District.  She worked at Bethany Home until her retirement, first as a cook in the dietary department and then as Dietary Supervisor after attending Fox Valley Technical Institute.

Arlene was always involved at church as cradle roll secretary, choir member, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, member and President of the Ladies Aid, Luther League advisor and later on the Cemetery Association.  She was instrumental in the organization of the Waupaca Lioness Club and serviced as a member and officer for many years.

Arlene and LeRoy enjoyed 55 happy years together golfing, bowling and most  all, dancing.  They camped their way around the country visiting family and friends.  They had a wide circle of friends and were always ready to get together for visiting and entertaining.  Arlene loved to cook and bake and there were always homemade treats at their house.  She was a meticulous seamstress and loved to do all kinds of needlework.  Arlene was very proud of her Norwegian heritage, her community and school, and most of all each member of her family.  She was an excellent role model and, together with LeRoy, instilled strong faith and family values in their three daughters.

Arlene is survived by her daughters Nancy (Bruce) Helbach of Waupaca, Kathleen of Talent, OR and Denise (Paul) Croake of Madison;  her grandchildren Harold Helbach, Marc (Christine) Helbach, Teresa Bertram, Joseph (Kim) Claussen, Joanna (Jason) Lackram, Patrick Croake, Katherine Croake, and John Paul (Shira Phelps) Croake;  her great grandchildren Ashleigh, Alexander, Amber, Cole, Hayden, Blake, Violet, Andi Marie, Garrett, Chase, Vanessa, and Henry;  great-great grandsons Angelo and Anthony; her sister Phyllis (Phillip) Nygaard, and several nieces and nephews.

Arlene was predeceased by her parents Alvin and Palma Trinrud, her husband LeRoy Christensen, her brother Leland Trinrud, her grandson-in-law William Bertram, and great-great granddaughter Amyiah McKay.

Funeral services will be held at Farmington Lutheran Church on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at 11:00 am, N4414 Country Q, Waupaca.  Interment will follow the service in the Farmington Lutheran Cemetery, Interim Pastor Dale Wilson officiating.   Friends may call at the Maple Crest Funeral Home, N2620 Highway 22, Waupaca, on Monday, June 26, 2017, from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M., and at the church on Tuesday, one hour prior to the time of the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Farmington Lutheran Church, Farmington Lutheran Cemetery Association, Bethany Home of Waupaca, or to the charity of your choice.

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