Colette Ann Christenson

Colette Christenson passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018, at her daughter’s home in West Sacramento, California at the age of 65. 

Colette Ann was born to Clarence and Julia (Spellman) Christenson on October 1, 1952 in Rush City, Minnesota.  The Christenson family lived on a farm in east of Rock Creek; Colette was the fifth of eight children and was always proud to say she was a farm girl.

In 1966, at the age of 13 Colette lost her oldest brother and mother.  She took over the motherly responsibilities for her three younger brothers.  Colette worked hard to excel at school and at home, was a cheerleader, and one of her proudest high school moments, was being homecoming queen her senior year. She continued caring for her brothers and keeping an immaculate house until she graduated from Pine City High School in 1970.

In 1971, Colette married Wesley Hovdesven and they moved to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.  She was a loving and attentive mother of two daughters, Sarah Marie (1971) and Jessica Ann (1974).  She was also a dedicated college student and received certificates in: Licensed Practical Nursing (1976), Chemical Dependency Counselor (1981) and Registered Nurse (1986) from the Minneapolis Community College.  She enjoyed her free time cooking, camping, and cross-country skiing with family and friends. One could often hear her say “you will never regret wearing an apron" and "take a hot bath and go to bed, everything looks better in the morning".

Colette and family moved to Sacramento, California in 1986 where she dedicated over 20 years to a nursing career.  She was admired and respected in many positions including: Emergency Room Nurse and subsequently Emergency Room Nurse Manager, Flight Nurse for an air ambulance company, and finished off her career as a Quality and Risk Manager.  During this time, she was elated to be blessed with two grandchildren, Jordan Paul (1998) and Madison Julia (2002).

She divorced in 2002 and a few years later met the love of her life, her dog Lady Jane.  They quickly became inseparable and when Colette retired in 2008, they spent a few years traveling the United States in an RV.  During their many stops and tours admiring the sights, Colette fell in love with Naples, Florida and decided to call it home in 2010.  She quickly found the nearest dog park and made it part of her daily routine.  She also enjoyed playing golf, passionately talking politics, cooking and weekly meetups with friends.

In 2017, Colette moved to California to receive care and treatments for cancer and she continued to face her illness with grace and dignity.  She spent her final time showing her family and friends love and appreciation, always expressing deep gratitude for them and the life she lived. 

Unfortunately, Colette never got around to writing her life story, but if she did, she wanted it to be called "Get a Clothesline". 

She was loved very much and will be dearly missed.

Colette is survived by her daughters Sarah Gardner of Texas and Jessica Hovdesven of West Sacramento, California; grandchildren: Jordan Gardner and Madison Gardner; siblings: Diann (Joe) Kirchberg of Pine City, Pam Forness of St. Louis, Missouri, Paschal Christenson of Rock Creek, Keiran Christenson of Idaho and Quentin Christenson of Alaska; niece and nephews: Chris, Paul, Darrin and Nick Kirchberg, Chad and Derek Lester, Trevor, Mac, Sam and Ryan Christenson, Blake and Brook Christenson; many other relatives and friends.

Colette is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Julia Christensen; brothers Gerald Christenson and Brendan Christenson.

Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will officiate a Service of Christian Burial for Colette:  10:30 AM; Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City.  A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 5-8 PM Monday evening at the Swanson Funeral Chapel and also 1 hour prior to the service in St. Anthony Commons at the church.

Memorials may be designated to National Public Radio in Colette's memory.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City~Swanson Chapel.  www.FuneralAndCremationService.com