Florence Christofferson

Florence Theresa Christofferson, 87, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, April 10th, at the Heritage House in Atlantic. She was born to John and Mary (Zierhut) Neiens on May 6, 1925 in rural Wiota, Iowa.

Florence attended Wiota High School where she played basketball and went to the state tournament three times. She graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1942. Following high school, she moved to Atlantic where she roomed with Elsie (Dinkla) Paulsen while working for an insurance company.

She was married to Howard Christofferson on September 2, 1947 in Wiota. They had three sons. She was a devout homemaker, helping her husband as they farmed west of Brayton, Iowa.

In 1975 she moved to Elk Horn, Iowa and she worked for the Southwest Iowa Business Association, Steen Produce and Kastens Insurance.

In her early married years, she loved to dance and later became an avid walker while living in the Elk Horn and Atlantic areas. Active in the local community, she was a member of the Kid-A-Bit and the Oak Hill Helping Hand Clubs. She also loved to play cards and board games several times a week with her friends.

Florence's faith was extremely important to her. She was a long-time active member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. One of the highlights of her life was having the opportunity to travel to Des Moines to see the Pope.

She is survived by her three sons: Duane (Fiancé Ann Nelsen) Christofferson of Exira, IA, Tom (Phyl) Christofferson of Hamlin, IA, and Paul (Susan) Christofferson of Exira, IA; nine grandchildren: Matthew and Megan Christofferson of Johnston, IA, Brooke Christofferson of Phoenix, AZ, Scotty Christofferson of Cary, NC, Seth (Ellen) Christofferson of Gretna, NE, Tyson (Gina) Christofferson of Glenwood, IA, Britta (Robbie) Utterback of Omaha, NE, Hallie Christofferson of Ames, IA, Carolyn (Nathan) Johnson of Des Moines, IA, Craig Christofferson of Dubuque, IA; and ten great-grandchildren.

Florence is preceded in death by her parents, sister Helen and brother-in-law Leo Stakey, sister Dolores and brother-in-law Don Curry, sister Ramona Weber and brother Joe and sister-in-law Beverly Neiens.