Alma Mae Christenson , 89, Minot, died Thursday, August 9, 2012 in a Minot nursing home.

Alma was born June 10, 1923 in Bottineau, ND to Joseph and Anna (Johnson) Sebelius. She was raised and educated in Bottineau, attending rural schools in the area.

As a young adult, she assisted on the family farmstead and throughout the area farming community with cooking and child care.

Alma was joined in marriage to Melbourne Christenson on November 4, 1945 in Bottineau. They farmed in the Rolette and Dunseith areas until moving to Glenburn in 1957. Alma operated the Star Mail Route for a number of years.

They moved to Minot in 1980. Alma was employed at Trinity Nursing Home and Red Ball Moving Company for a time before retiring. Mel died on April 21, 1998.

Alma was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot, the Homemaker's Club in Glenburn and was part of the Minot Senior Citizen's Group.

Throughout her life, Alma had an interest in card playing, doing crossword puzzles, painting and had a passion for listening to music. Family was her first priority and she was wealthy with love for her children and grandchildren.

Her loving family includes children, Janice Pratt, and Vickie (John) Phippins, both of Minot, Cheryl Robinson, Portland, OR and Loren (Sandra) Christenson, Deering, ND; 10 Grandchildren, David (Angel Engh) Pratt, Steven (Heather) Pratt, Melissa (Rubin) Mora, Teri Robinson, Bryan (Rhonda) Robinson, Leanna (Tim) Stratton, Julie Christenson, Jason (Dawn) Christenson, Tonya Knutson and Stacy (Brian) Wallin; 23 Great-Grandchildren,Brittany, Austin, Brandon, McKayla, and Amanda Pratt, Zachary, Austin and Emma Heizelman, Kaitlyn and Patrick Farrell, Brayden, Colby, and Keagan Christenson, Alyssa, Ashley and Miranda Robinson, Kaydance and Addyson Stratton, Evan, Eric, and Joshua Knutson and Jasmine and Allie Wallin; siblings, Virgil (JoAnne Jones) Sebelius, Laguna Woods, CA and Lorraine Hiatt, Kent, WA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Mel and sister, Doris Handeland.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Monday, August 13, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: Memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.