Betty A. Christen (nee Brigitte Amalia Christiansen)

Betty A. Christen (née Brigitte Amalia Christiansen) Betty Christen was a great mom, the best grandma and a wonderful friend. She never had an unkind word for anyone and was always there for her family and friends. She was a person to be admired. Betty died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Oakwood West on May 19 at age 84. Betty was born in 1924 on a farm near Manly, Iowa, the only child of Nick and Helen Christiansen, German immigrants who came to the US after World War I. She grew up with her parents and her Aunt Augusta and Uncle Henry, speaking German at home on the farm. In 1941 she graduated from Manly High School and then attended Business College receiving an Associate Degree in 1943. She married Jim Christen of Forest City, IA in 1948. During Jims career as a high school teacher and then with Jostens, Betty was a mother and homemaker. They lived in a succession of towns, Audubon, IA, St. Peter, MN, Faribault ,MN, and moved to Madison, WI in 1959. In Madison, Betty worked as a teller for many years at Hilldale State Bank. She and Jim divorced in 1976. She is survived by her daughters Carla, of Denver CO and Linda (Steve) of Middleton WI, her sons Jack (Liz) and Jim (Kitty) both of Santa Barbara CA, and her grandchildren Livia and Riley, both of Santa Barbara, and Samantha and Nick, both of Milwaukee. Betty loved to tell stories of growing up in Iowa. Stories of being the only child in a one-room school who didnt speak English, about riding her pony to school, about playing with her dog Rover because there werent any neighbor kids to play with, the winter night their farm house burned to the ground and of losing her father in a tragic accident on Christmas Eve in 1950. She loved reminiscing about good friends, trips to Clear Lake to dance to the big bands at the Surf Ballroom and she never tired of remembering moments shared with her grand children. We will miss hearing those stories. A special thanks to Dr. John Schilling who has had a special place in moms heart since her terrible car accident in 1985. And a heartfelt thank you to all of the nurses and aids at Hebron Oaks who helped our mom at the end of her life. Susan, Nancy, Wendy, Cheryl, we will never forget the respect and tenderness you showed her. An Open House to remember Betty and celebrate her life will be held at Oakwood West in the Tour Tea Room, Saturday, May 30 from 11a.m. until 1p.m.