Obituary for Elaine Marilyn Christensen (Soldin)
Christensen, Elaine M. (nee Soldin)
Age 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Avalon residential care home in Minnetonka, MN.
Elaine was born on February 12, 1924, to Hans and Minnie (Willman) Soldin in Springvale, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm as the youngest of four siblings and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1941.
After high school, Elaine moved to Minneapolis and went to work at Honeywell for ten years. While at Honeywell, Elaine met Mary Markuson, who introduced Elaine to her brother, Glenn. Elaine and Glenn were married in 1947 in Minneapolis and settled in St. Louis Park before moving to Savage, where they raised four girls: Karyn, Kathy, Cheri, and Carolyn. They celebrated 36 years of marriage before Glenn died of cancer in 1984.
In 1985, Elaine became a charter member of Glendale United Methodist Church in Savage. At Glendale, she met Dale Christensen, and they were married in 1987. Their 15-year marriage included travel, volunteering, and recognition as Scott County Senior Citizens of the Year in 1999. Dale passed away in 2002.
In 2005, Elaine reconnected with her hometown school friend, Carl Erickson. A year later, Elaine and Carl were married, and they enjoyed ten years together until Carl’s passing in 2016.
After 58 years in her Savage home, Elaine moved to Elim Shores senior community in Eden Prairie in 2016. She enjoyed six years at Elim before moving to Avalon in April 2021.
Elaine was known for her cheerful outlook, big smile, and infectious laugh. She loved gardening, recycling, traveling (including five trips to Japan), and helping others. Elaine enjoyed volunteering at Fairview Ridges Hospital for 25 years and Glendale Church for 27 years. She was the ultimate caregiver who was so thankful for her three wonderful husbands and cherished spending time with her ever-expanding family.
Elaine was preceded in death by husbands Glenn Markuson, Dale Christensen, and Carl Erickson, daughter Kathy Markuson, parents Hans and Minnie Soldin, sister Viola (Soldin) Nelson, brother Floyd Soldin, sister Dolores (Soldin) Eliason, grandson Riki Kusuhara and stepdaughter Carol (Erickson) Cosgrove.
Elaine is survived by her children, Karyn Alexander of Eden Prairie, Cheri (Jim) Nehl of Eden Prairie, Carolyn (Hiro) Kusuhara of Osaka, Japan; grandchildren, Christopher (Rachel) Alexander, Niki Wongdock, Matt Nehl, Michelle Nehl, Emily Kusuhara; great-grandchildren, Sydney Wongdock, Leilani Wongdock, Jackson Alexander, Allison Alexander; stepchildren, Steven (Karla) Christensen, Douglas (Pam) Christensen, Lynne (Rolfe) Otterness, Connie (Al) Overland, Kris (Dave) Krier; six step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (umdf.org) or National MS Society (nationalmssociety.org).
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM Monday, June 20, at Glendale United Methodist Church, 13550 Glendale Rd, Savage, MN 55378, with visitation starting at 10:30 AM. Bright and cheerful attire is most welcome.
Huber Funeral & Cremation Services
Eden Prairie Chapel 952-949-4970
Age 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Avalon residential care home in Minnetonka, MN.
Elaine was born on February 12, 1924, to Hans and Minnie (Willman) Soldin in Springvale, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm as the youngest of four siblings and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1941.
After high school, Elaine moved to Minneapolis and went to work at Honeywell for ten years. While at Honeywell, Elaine met Mary Markuson, who introduced Elaine to her brother, Glenn. Elaine and Glenn were married in 1947 in Minneapolis and settled in St. Louis Park before moving to Savage, where they raised four girls: Karyn, Kathy, Cheri, and Carolyn. They celebrated 36 years of marriage before Glenn died of cancer in 1984.
In 1985, Elaine became a charter member of Glendale United Methodist Church in Savage. At Glendale, she met Dale Christensen, and they were married in 1987. Their 15-year marriage included travel, volunteering, and recognition as Scott County Senior Citizens of the Year in 1999. Dale passed away in 2002.
In 2005, Elaine reconnected with her hometown school friend, Carl Erickson. A year later, Elaine and Carl were married, and they enjoyed ten years together until Carl’s passing in 2016.
After 58 years in her Savage home, Elaine moved to Elim Shores senior community in Eden Prairie in 2016. She enjoyed six years at Elim before moving to Avalon in April 2021.
Elaine was known for her cheerful outlook, big smile, and infectious laugh. She loved gardening, recycling, traveling (including five trips to Japan), and helping others. Elaine enjoyed volunteering at Fairview Ridges Hospital for 25 years and Glendale Church for 27 years. She was the ultimate caregiver who was so thankful for her three wonderful husbands and cherished spending time with her ever-expanding family.
Elaine was preceded in death by husbands Glenn Markuson, Dale Christensen, and Carl Erickson, daughter Kathy Markuson, parents Hans and Minnie Soldin, sister Viola (Soldin) Nelson, brother Floyd Soldin, sister Dolores (Soldin) Eliason, grandson Riki Kusuhara and stepdaughter Carol (Erickson) Cosgrove.
Elaine is survived by her children, Karyn Alexander of Eden Prairie, Cheri (Jim) Nehl of Eden Prairie, Carolyn (Hiro) Kusuhara of Osaka, Japan; grandchildren, Christopher (Rachel) Alexander, Niki Wongdock, Matt Nehl, Michelle Nehl, Emily Kusuhara; great-grandchildren, Sydney Wongdock, Leilani Wongdock, Jackson Alexander, Allison Alexander; stepchildren, Steven (Karla) Christensen, Douglas (Pam) Christensen, Lynne (Rolfe) Otterness, Connie (Al) Overland, Kris (Dave) Krier; six step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (umdf.org) or National MS Society (nationalmssociety.org).
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM Monday, June 20, at Glendale United Methodist Church, 13550 Glendale Rd, Savage, MN 55378, with visitation starting at 10:30 AM. Bright and cheerful attire is most welcome.
Huber Funeral & Cremation Services
Eden Prairie Chapel 952-949-4970