Verna Lucille Christensen

Verna Lucille Christensen, the daughter of James and Dagmar Andreasen Durbin, was born December 28, 1917, at her parents’ home in Audubon County near Viola, Iowa and died September 1, 2013, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 95 years, 8 months, and 3 days. Verna was baptized at the Christian Church in Coon Rapids, Iowa. She attended Viola Community Schools through the 10th grade. She moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she was employed in the bacon department of the Wilson Packing Plant. On February 25, 1944, she was united in marriage to Alvin Karl Christensen at the Methodist Parsonage in Carroll, Iowa. They moved to Lake Wails, Florida and she was employed at the citrus plant where she graded grapefruit and oranges. Then they moved to Avon, Florida which was closer to the airbase where Alvin was stationed. They lived there until Alvin was honorably discharged on October 29, 1945. They returned to Hamlin, Iowa and operated his family farm southwest of Hamlin. Later in 1947, they purchased the farm. They grew grain and raised livestock. Verna helped Alvin farmed until they retired and sold the farm in 1985. They moved into Exira and Verna cleaned houses for a short time. Alvin died on November 7, 2001. Verna lived in her home until she moved to the Exira Care Center on July 16, 2012. Verna was an active member of the Brayton Lutheran Church and the Women of the ELCA in Brayton, Iowa. She enjoyed being involved in all the church activities and especially enjoyed quilting. Verna also enjoyed playing cards and was a member of several card clubs. She and Alvin also joyed square dancing and were members of the Circle A Square Dancing Group in Audubon. Preceding her in death was her husband Alvin K. Christensen; her son-in-law Merrill Firebaugh; her brothers: William Durbin, Wayne Durbin, Lynn Durbin, Roy Durbin, Harold Durbin, Loren Durbin, and Lester Durbin; her sisters: Ina Mae Gile, Jean Lennegmann, Dorothy Taylor, June Kohl; her brothers-in-law Arnold Christensen, and Marion and wife Dagny Christensen. Survivors include her brothers and sisters: Dale and wife Helen Durbin of Jefferson, Iowa; Gary and wife Betty Durbin of Bayard, Iowa; Jim Durbin of Yale, Iowa; Elnora Olsen of Fairmont, Minnesota; Martha and husband Merrill Cady of Sac City, Iowa; Carolyn and husband Dick Lanning of Trenton, Missouri; and her special sister who she raised as a daughter Deanna Firebaugh of Pottsboro, Texas; her grandchildren: Terry and wife Debbie Firebaugh of Little Elm, Texas; Kim and husband Wes Kennedy of Nashville, Tennessee; Teresa Forsini of Dallas, Texas; her great grandchildren: Connor and Jordan Firebaugh of Little Elm; Reagan and Samantha Forsini of Rockwell, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Friday evening at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be Saturday, September 7, 2013, at 10:30 A.M. at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa.