Naomi Christiansen

Mrs. Naomi Hansen-Christiansen, age 90, of Greenville, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday morning, September 30, 2009 from St. Marys Health Care, Grand Rapids, after a brief illness. The daughter of Peter & Esther (Nielsen) Jensen, she was born Dec. 7, 1918 in Edmore. Following her graduation from Edmore High School, she attended County Normal and earned her teaching certificate. She then taught in the one-room Castle School near Fenwick for three years until marrying Marvin Hansen on March 16, 1940 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Edmore. Naomi and Marvin made their home in Greenville and were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. A woman of deep faith, she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, helped with Vacation Bible School, and was active in the Womens Aid and various ladies circles at St. Paul Lutheran Church. When Marvins health kept him homebound, Naomi began working for Dr. Stuart Anderson in his optometry practice in downtown Greenville. In the sixties she was honored by the Greenville community, being recognized as Woman of the Year for her dedication as an employee and caring service to patients. A devoted wife and mother, Naomi provided for her family and cared for her husband throughout his long battle with multiple sclerosis. After 35 years of marriage, Marvin passed away on March 29, 1975. While Naomi enjoyed a variety of activities, her greatest joy was spending time with her family, friends, and church family. On January 10, 1981, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, she married Garfield Christiansen and retired that same year from the practice of Anderson & Hansen. Together, she and Gar enjoyed almost 25 years of marriage until her preceded her in death on Nov. 6, 2004. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Beaulah Jensen; and two brothers, Percy Jensen and Ferris Jensen. Her memory will be forever cherished by her three children, Marlene & Fred Timmer of Muskegon, Marcus & Nancy Hansen of Mission, Kansas, and Dr. Rocky & Peggy Hansen of Greenville; a sister, Lela Christensen of Sheridan; three step-children, Howard & Gayle Christiansen of Grand Rapids, Norma & Dan Hutchinson of Urbana, Missouri, and Wayne & Lori Christiansen of Grand Ledge; her grandchildren, Jeff & Catrina Emmons, Jason Hansen, Jessica Hansen, Keisha Hansen, Kenzie Hansen, Mark & Kathy Timmer, Gary & April Timmer, Scott & Kenda Hutchinson, Robert & Joni Christiansen, Tim Hutchinson, John Garfield & Christina Christiansen, Amanda & Master Sgt. Timothy Hoffer, Jeremy Christiansen, Brian & Lynne Christiansen, Ferris & Marcelo Murillo, Sgt. Ryan Christiansen, Jodie & John Greenway, Kim Krouse, Kirk Krouse, and Lori & Don Maloche; two great granddaughters, Amelia Emmons and Justine Emmons; many step-great grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Kenneth & Myrtle Christiansen of Ellsworth, and Genevieve Hansen of Fenwick; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, corner of N. Lafayette Street and Coffren Avenue, Greenville, with Pastor Betsy Kamphuis officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding. Visitation is Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where envelopes for memorial contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church will be available. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Naomi Christiansen, please visit our flower store.