Viola Elaine Christianson, 86, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.

Vi was born on Nov. 3, 1933, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, to Mikkel and Alma (Lee) Iverson. She graduated from Austin High School in 1951. After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for the elevator in Hayward, Minnesota. In her early 20s, she worked as a secretary for a pharmaceutical company in Los Angeles, California. Upon returning to Minnesota, she took a bookkeeping position at Farmers Elevator in Blooming Prairie. Vi married Nathan Christianson on March 3, 1956, in Lake Crystal, Minnesota, and resided in rural Blooming Prairie. After staying home while their four girls were young, she returned to the workforce as a bookkeeper for various businesses in the area, including Prairie Farm Service, Sow Enterprises, the Austin Daily Herald and Cenex. Vi was very active at Red Oak Grove Lutheran church. Over the years, she taught Sunday school, accompanied youth to work camp, attended WELCA and quilted. She also served as church secretary and treasurer. Vi enjoyed sewing, knitting, camping, reading and traveling.

Vi is survived by one brother, Melvin Iverson of rural Oakland, Minnesota; daughters, Dawn (Dean) Peterson of Blooming Prairie, Karen (Dan) Zander of New Richmond, Wisconsin, and Kristi (Don) Selchow of Hamburg, Minnesota; grandchildren, Bennett (Leah), Arthina, Anna, Kari, Kelly, Elise (Taylor), Joseph (Alleah), Matthew, Barbie and Nathan; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan Christianson; daughter, Cheryl Deppe; parents; step-father, Bennett Wangen; brothers, Clarence and Charles; sisters, Agnes and Marvel; four nephews; and one niece.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church in rural Austin, Minnesota, with the Rev. Richard Hegal officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at Worlein Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Interment will be in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be given to cancer research or autism research. Worlein Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.