Aves L. Christensen
YANKTON, S.D. — Aves L. Christensen, 98, Yankton, S.D., formerly of Utica, S.D., died Feb. 21, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society, Tyndall, S.D.
Funeral services were Feb. 25 at Trondhjem Lutheran Church, Volin, S.D., with Rev. Mark Ostrem officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Services were also live streamed at www.facebook.com/ opsahlkostel/live.
Visitation and a scripture service were Feb. 24 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, and resumed one hour prior to the service at the church.
Aves Lorraine Christensen was born Aug. 5, 1923, to Oscar and Alma (Rude) Aune in Volin. Aves grew up on the farm near Volin, where her family owned the Marindahl store. She attended West Prairie Country School. After high school graduation she went on to college at Southern Normal, Springfield, S.D. where she got her teaching degree in 1941. She taught three years in country schools and did a lot of substituting. She married Peter H. Christensen Sept. 14, 1944. They lived on a farm by Volin for a few years and in 1952, bought a farm by Utica, where they raised their family. Upon retirement they moved from the farm to Yankton. Peter passed away in 1993. They were married 49 years.
Aves is a lifelong member of the Trondhjem Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed. She was also a member of the ALCW and Sons of Norway. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage. She was a homemaker and was always there for her children. She worked at Gurney Seed & Nursery, Yankton, for 28 years, dipping tiny seeds until Gurneys closed.
Aves enjoyed puzzles, playing cards, dominos, bingo and doing counted cross stitch projects. She enjoyed going to the Senior Citizens, and Archie’s to visit with friends, have a Dr. Pepper or just help out. She loved and lived for family gatherings and spending time with her ever growing family.
Survivors include her children: David (Julaine) Christensen, Omaha; Joanne (David) Dvoracek, Springfield, S.D.; Delores (Rich) Herrig, Brookings, S.D.; Terry (Craig) Ebberson, Coleridge; Marlene (Donnie Fischer) Hauger, Yankton, S.D.; daughter-in-law, Rita (Roger) Stahlecker, Bloomfield; 17 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and one more on the way, two great-great-grandchildren and one more on the way; sister-in-law, Janice Aune, Yankton, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Peter; two sons, Russell Paul and Donald Christensen; grandson, Matthew Dvoracek; and her two brothers, Freelan Aune and Alton Aune; one infant sister, Marian; and one son-in-law, Larry Hauger.