Doris Christianson

Doris Christianson, 92, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at St. William's Care Center in Milbank. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church in Wilmot, SD. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will close with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Wilmot Lutheran (Boe) Cemetery. 

Doris (McFarlane) Christianson was born November 24, 1932, to Ellis and Ruth (Crocker) McFarlane of Wilmot. Doris graduated from Wilmot High School in 1950, having worked in cafes in Wilmot through most of her teenage school years. After graduation, she was employed as a secretary at Hunter Granite in Milbank, South Dakota. She was united in marriage to Lloyd Christianson on August 13, 1951.

After marriage, she worked managing a household of five children. As a member of the Wilmot Lutheran Church, Doris served in many capacities, including working with WELCA, a group providing quilts, school kits, health kits and other supplies for donation to persons in need. Doris served as a local officer of WELCA and as a conference officer of the group. She also was active in the Ladies' Aid, and served the Church in other capacities over the decades.

Doris was elected to and served on the Wilmot School Board for several terms. She and Lloyd were active in NARFE (National Assoc. of Retired Federal Employees), and Doris maintained involvement with the local chapter of NARFE after Lloyd's death. Doris and Lloyd were awarded for their enthusiastic support of Wilmot Public School's athletics and other school activities. Doris was a lifelong artist, creating innumerable paintings gifted to relatives and friends, and a craftsperson, producing quilts, afghans, Rosemaled items, and other works.

Doris is survived by a son, Leslie (Judy) of Romney, Indiana, daughters Joan (Steven) Hawthorne of Hudson, Wisconsin, Ellen Christianson of Appleton, Minnesota, and Amy Christianson of New York, New York, five grandchildren, Leif and Nils (Sonya) Christianson, Chris Kvatum, Matthew Hawthorne (Kelly Hoffman) and Kara (Adam) Hawthorne-Harrison, four great-grandchildren, Maia, Felix, Walter, and Arthur, and a sister, Evelyn Reynen of Milbank.

Doris Christianson was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lloyd C. Christianson, a son, Eric Albert Christianson, and three brothers, Floyd, Arnold, and Maurice McFarlane. 

Written by Doris's family.