Betty Ann Christiansen

Betty Christiansen passed away on June 10, 2026, in Audubon, Iowa, at the age of 98. Born in Estherville, Iowa, on June 13, 1927, to Harry Lorenz Dominy and Julia Anna Finn, she grew up on a farm in rural Emmett County with five older siblings. Betty’s early schooling took place in a one-room schoolhouse, and her older sister Leona taught her for a time. She and her siblings also walked to school from the farm. Betty was valedictorian of her graduating class at Maple Hill High School. After attending college at UNI, she worked at Montgomery Ward from 1947 until she married Dale Christiansen in 1958. After a period of infertility and being told by her doctor she could not have children, she had five children in 6.5 years. During and after raising her children, she held a variety of jobs, including at Salem Lutheran Home, where she worked as a housekeeper until she was 84 years old.

Betty was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Patrick’s Church, the Altar & Rosary Society, and the St. Patrick’s Catholic Women. She was an avid reader and loved doing crossword puzzles. It was often challenging to find puzzles difficult enough for her (including New York Times crossword puzzles). She loved to cook and bake. Her children knew that upon arriving home from school, something freshly baked would be waiting for them. Betty was proud that her Dominy lineage had been traced to the Mayflower, with two named passengers identified as direct ancestors. Betty’s favorite things were spending time with her family and cooking for them.

Preceding her in death is her husband, Dale.

Survivors include children Connie and husband Kelly Simpson of Oakland, IA; Paul and wife Debbie Christiansen of Huntsville, AL; John Christiansen of Katy,TX; Cathy Christiansen of Washington, DC and Carol and husband Steve Jennings of Omaha, NE; her grandchildren: Steven Christiansen and wife Mistie of Des Moines, IA; Michael Christiansen and wife Katie of Ankeny, IA; Nathan Jennings and fiancée Hailey McGuire of Omaha, NE and Benjamin Christiansen of Katy, TX. Her great grandchildren are Ruby, Ryder, Rocky and River Christiansen of Ankeny, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Audubon, IA, with Fr. David Nkrumah as the Celebrant. Interment will take place following the Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Audubon. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the St. Patrick Parish Center in Audubon.

Public visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the Betty Christiansen Family to be designated at a later date in her memory; they may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon is entrusted with the arrangements.