Helen Margaret Christianson, 88, of Blooming Prairie, died Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Fieldcrest Care Center in Hayfield.

She was born at home on June 26, 1922, in Moscow Township, Minn., to Barlow and Tonnetta (Peterson) Thompson. After graduating from Austin High School and Austin Teacher Training, she taught school for one year. On Jan. 23, 1943, Helen married Orville Christianson in El Reno, Oklahoma where Orville was stationed in WWII. They lived in El Reno until Orville was sent overseas in late 1943.

After World War II, Helen and Orville farmed near Red Oak Grove until Orville retired in 1975 due to his health. Helen was active in the Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid. She worked in a doctor’s office in Austin as a receptionist for several years. In 1977, the couple began spending their winters in Mesa, Ariz. While in Mesa, Helen became involved with golfing, oil painting, shuffleboard, ceramics, and gardening.

Helen and Orville were married for 52 years. Orville passed away in 1995, and Helen moved to Blooming Prairie two years after his passing, where she enjoyed the company of numerous relatives and friends. When her health began to fail, she sold her house and moved to Heather House in Blooming Prairie.

Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Survivors include her three children, Teresa (Harold) Berg of Forest Lake, Brian (Janice) Christianson of St. Louis, Mo., Paul (Patricia) Christianson of Melbourne, Fla.; four grandchildren, Karin (Mark) Berg-Ross of Stewartville, Barbara (Berg) Windels of Minneapolis, Cory (Amy) Berg of Excelsior, Austin Christianson of Melbourne; six great-grandchildren, Erin and Ian Ross, Hannah and Naomi Berg, Jason and Catherine Windels.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Barlow and Tonnetta Thompson; husband, Orville; sister, Beryl (Everett) Gerber; brothers, Warren Thompson, Leon Thompson, and Ray Thompson.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church with Rev. Gene Leiter officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday. Interment will be in Red Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Austin. Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.