Funeral services for Marge Christensen of Chamberlain, SD will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at the Hickey Funeral Chapel in Chamberlain with burial in the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain, SD.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the funeral services on Tuesday.

Margery Ann Martin was born May 6, 1928 in Chamberlain, SD, the daughter of Arthur and Carrie (Picek) Martin.  She attended school in Pukwana, SD.  On February 26, 1947, Marge was united in marriage to Victor D. Christensen at Belle Fourche, SD.  The marriage to Victor taught her how to be a farming and ranching wife.

She lived her entire life in Brule County, SD.  During her early years she was a homemaker and raised her three children.  She loved to cook and bake.  She learned to garden and can produce especially pickles and tomatoes.  This was a trait she passed on to her family.

A favorite hobby was collecting cookbooks and hundreds of recipes.  For years she worked at Sunset Valley Haven Nursing Home in Chamberlain where she learned her passion for cooking and baking.  At the age of 79 years, she retired.  She was often praised for her cooking abilities and later in life she overcame a new challenge by learning to use a computer.

Bowling was her favorite hobby and fun part of life.  Her teammates Marge Gunter, Joan Myers, Martha Martin, Mary Korzan, and Sheila LaVoy had many adventures together including a trip to Las Vegas in the 70's.

She loved to fish and play in the sunshine with a special lifelong friend and cousin Delilah Westre.  They had great fun together.  Both recently celebrated their 92nd birthdays this year.

Marge was a typical farmer and rancher's wife and loved the country.  A drive through the country to look at crops in the fields, cattle, and harvesting was a great day to her.  Often these drives involved a vanilla ice cream cone - a favorite.

Marge was initiated on November 24, 1952 into the Chamberlain No. 66 Order of the Eastern Star and was a member for over 67 years.

Family was very important to her and she followed their activities.  Recently she had two great granddaughters voted as Homecoming Queens: Lillyanna Wagner at Wall, SD and Emma Powers at Chamberlain, SD, with Skylie Wagner as an attendant.  She was very excited to be able to see videos and photos of the ceremonies and parades.

She loved trees and insisted on letting every volunteer Chinese Elm and Cottonwood tree grow in her yard to the dismay of some of the family.

We all have a favorite funny story about grandma.  We will miss her and she will always be part of our lives.  She has passed on positive qualities of strength, determination, resilience, and a hard working tradition.

Marge passed away on October 1, 2020 at Ava's House in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 92 years.  Gratefully sharing her life are two sons Russ (Karen Yeaton) Christensen and Pete (Nancy) Christensen; daughter Christo Fees; a sister Carol Douville; eight grandchildren Kalley Ann (Ron) Strong, Russell (Katie) Christensen, Jessica (Toby) Wagner, Cadena (Shawn) Powers, Cash (Merissa) Fees, Grant (Jessica) Christensen, Garret (Rilee) Christensen, and Bradee (Joel) Pazour; 19 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, brother Homer Martin, son-in-law Jerry Fees, daughter-in-law Deb Christensen, and great grandson Chet Cole Christensen.