Funeral services for Mary Ann Christensen, 85, of Wayne, formerly of Laurel will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 6 at the United Lutheran Church in Laurel. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 5 with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at the United Lutheran Church in Laurel. Burial will be in the Laurel Cemetery in Laurel.
Mary Ann died Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at her home in Wayne at Kinship Pointe.
Memorials may be directed to the Christensen family for later designation.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Mary Ann (Paulsen) Christensen was born Aug. 15,1940 on the family farm east of Magnet. She was the daughter of Paul Paulsen and Mary (von Rentzell) Paulsen. In May of 1957 Mary Ann graduated from Randolph Public School. In the fall of that year she enrolled in the Nursing program at Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, SouthDakota.
After graduation and working at Methodist Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa she married the love of her life, Marvin Christensen on Dec. 4, 1960. They lived south of Laurel where they farmed and raised their family. Mary Ann would tell you that she did more farming than nursing. She felt very fortunate to be able to do volunteering in the community. She also enjoyed spending part of three summers volunteering as a tour guide at Sitka Lutheran Church in Sitka, Alaska.Worshiping, serving and growing in her faith led to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Quilting and reading were hobbies Mary Ann enjoyed. Traveling was a real passion.
Mary Ann is survived by her children and spouses, Beverly (Robert) Dahlquist, Arnold (Jana) Christensen, Erick (Deanna) Christensen, Rebecca (Michael) Beitelspacher.
Mary Ann was blessed with 10 grandchildren, she would refer lovingly to them as the PERFECT 10! Katlyn (Ian) Engebretsen, Taryn (Grant) Gotschall, Corryn (Marcus) Treimer, Nathan (Olivia) Christensen, Jason Christensen, Noelle Christensen, Elias (Marissa) Christensen, Emma Beitelspacher, Anna Beitelspacher, and Ashley Beitelspacher.
She was known as ‘Grams’ to eight great grandchildren - Ellen, Jack, and Luke Engebretsen, Miller Gotschall, Lincoln and Beckett Treimer, and Everett and Magnolia Christensen.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents and her husband, Marvin in 2013.
