Mary Jo Christensen Kjeldsen, the oldest in the family of four daughters, born to Ollie and Edythe Christensen in Lincoln, Nebraska, on October 20, 1938, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 7, 2024. Mary Jo served national corporations and their transferees moving into and out of the Baton Rouge area for over 30 years before retiring in 2010. Mary Jo loved holidays celebrating with family and friends and her home was a welcome place for many. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her oldest son, Nels Christian Kjeldsen and niece, Barbara Jo Patterson. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Nels “Doc” Kjeldsen, and son, Erik Kjeldsen, both of Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Christian Bates Kjeldsen of Cheshire, Connecticut and Hannah Kjeldsen of Los Angeles, California; her three sisters, Susan Converse (Ron), Martha Christensen and Sally Spear; nephews, Scott Patterson, Mitch Larsen, and David Rozmarin (Jenna); and daughter-in-law, Monica Bates Kjeldsen-Strunk (Erich) of Cheshire, Connecticut. Mary Jo graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Business Administration where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. During her career of serving corporations and transferees Mary Jo served as president of the Baton Rouge Association of Realtors and received Realtor of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year Award. Visitation at Trinity Lutheran Church at 15160 S. Harrell’s Ferry Rd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 10:00am followed by Service at 11:00am. Interment will be held at a later date at the Danish Cemetery in Davey, Nebraska.
