Carol Ann Christenson

Carol Ann Christenson was born on December 16, 1938 to Otto and Alice Beckley Erdahl in Duluth, Minnesota. She passed away on May 26, 2024 at age 85. Her family moved to Bozeman, Montana when she was a young child. She graduated from high school in 1957 and then from Montana State College in 1960 with a degree in elementary education. She met her husband, Donald Christenson, on campus, and they were married in 1959.

Carol taught third grade in the Fort Bragg North Carolina schools and substitute taught for several years in the East Lansing and Marquette school systems. She later worked as a dental assistant for nearly 20 years.

She was a loving mother to Karen, Laurie, and Beth; a loving grandmother to Melissa, Tyler, and Joshua; and a supportive wife to Don. She was outgoing, had many friends, and served as a member and leader of various organizations. She was a founding member of both the Friends of Haslett Public Library and St. Luke Lutheran Church. She served on the Kappa Delta Sorority alumnae board and mentored international students as part of the ministry in her church.

Carol loved the arts, both as a practitioner and as an audience member. She played the oboe in her college orchestra and sang in her church choir and the Michigan State University Choral Union. She was a talented potter as a member of the Lansing Area Potters Guild. Her artistic pursuits continued even as she developed dementia and provided a meaningful outlet for her.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and her precious daughter, Karen. She is survived by her husband; daughters Laurie (Rick) Osmun and Beth (Robert) Bienvenu; son-in-law, Joe Rabideau; grandchildren Melissa Rabideau, Tyler (Allison), and Joshua (Elise) Osmun.

The family thanks the caregivers in the memory care unit at Rivertown Ridge located in Wyoming, Michigan. Memorials have been established at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett, MI (knowingjesus.org/give) and for scholarships for underserved students in the STEAM program (helloSTEAM.org). A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2024 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5589 Van Atta Road, Haslett, with one hour of visitation beginning at 10 a.m. prior to the service.The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guest book online.