Shirley Christensen

Shirley Christensen, 89, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Friday, November 8, 2024, at Allen Place in Atlantic.

Shirley Mae was born on July 3, 1935, in Walnut, Iowa, the daughter of Alva and Bertha (Jessen) Kite. She graduated from Walnut High School and went to work as a switchboard operator at AT&T in Atlantic.

On September 5, 1959, she was united in marriage to Howard Milton Christensen. They were blessed with two children, Rodney and Suzette and Shirley kept busy during this time caring for her family and the home. The couple looked forward to local auctions and time away to venture through antique stores looking a unique piece of Depression Glass to add to their collection. Shirley also collected Precious Moments and cookbooks. After Howard’s death in 2008, Shirley had to take on many new responsibilities that hadn’t been hers in the past and for this her children were proud of her.

Shirley was a member of the Maple Dale Neighborhood Club and the Buck Creek United Methodist Church where she was active with the United Methodist Women and Talenteers. She enjoyed watching her various television series’ and listening to Polka music. Shirley’s sweet tooth usually called for a Butterfinger and her specialties in the kitchen were her birthday cakes and pies. Her family is really going to miss the veggies and dip and “frog eyes” that she brought to meals!

Shirley is survived by her son, Rod (Lori) Christensen of Dunlap, Iowa; daughter, Suzette Christensen of Marne, Iowa; grandchildren, Samantha (Ryan) Buffinton, Stephanie (Jason) Vogt, Sidney Christensen, Ashley (Matt) Chamberlain and Zachary Edwards; great-grandchildren, Miles, Marcy, Morgan, Meadow, Dakota, Olivia, Ellie and Sophia; and many extended family

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alva and Bertha Kite, parents-in-law, Alfred and Clara Christensen; husband, Howard Christensen; grandson, Nicholas Howard Christensen; brothers, Dale (Joanne) Kite and Lanny Kite; nephew, Alan Kite; niece, Amy Frields; and sister-in-law, Anna Mae (John) Cornelius.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, with Pastor Jerry Neal of the Buck Creek United Methodist Church officiating. A time of fellowship will be held immediately following the service. 

Burial will be held at a later date in the Woodbine Cemetery in Woodbine, Iowa.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Shirley's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.