Magdalena Lucille (Waltner) Christianson passed away December 28, 2018 at the Lodge at Warm Beach in Stanwood, WA, at the age of 97. Lucy was born in Mount Vernon on January 6, 1921, to George and Magdalena (Michels) Waltner, the fifth of seven children. Lucy spent her childhood and adolescence working on the family farm, graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1938. She studied nursing at Providence Hospital in Seattle. During her studies, WWII broke out and she decided to join the Navy. Called to duty in March 1942, Lucy held duty stations in Seattle, San Francisco, Bikini Atoll, China, and Bremerton. After her honorable discharge as Lieutenant in 1947, she continued nursing studies in Utah, and graduated with a degree in anesthesia in 1948. Following graduation, Lucy was employed with Mount Vernon General Hospital until 1956, resigning her professional career to raise family.
Lucy married Alfred (Al) Christianson in 1949 at Immaculate Conception Church in Mount Vernon, and they remained members of the church throughout their life. They made their home in Mount Vernon for over 20 years, later moving to their farm in Stanwood. She supported her husband in the operation of their family farm and Alf Christianson Seed Company, performing bookkeeping and administration for the farm, and enjoying drives with Al to check on crops. She was an accomplished gardener, and following Al's death in 1989 she took up dried floral arranging and plant propagation as hobbies. She was also a talented baker, and somehow the farm field men always knew it was breaktime when Lucy was pulling something out of the oven. She will be remembered fondly for her homemade pies and breads, and the delicious recipes she passed along. Lucy was a life-long learner, taking classes and seminars throughout her adult life, with a special interest in horticulture. She remained active into her 90's, enjoying daily walks and rides on her ATV among the fields of the family farm.
Lucy was preceded in death by her father and mother, husband Al Christianson, son Mark Christianson, four brothers, and one sister. She is survived by her sister Anna (Waltner) King of Stanwood, WA; son Kenneth Christianson (Sue) of Burlington, WA; daughter Patricia Crowley (Walter) of Silverdale, WA; son David Christianson (Kim) of Mount Vernon, WA; son Paul Christianson (Sue) of Stanwood, WA; daughter Kathy Kuru of Smokey Point, WA; daughter Susan Butler (Michael) of Lynden, WA; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Christianson of Stanwood, WA; twenty-four grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2019, at 12:15 pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 400 N 15th Street, Mount Vernon, WA, followed by a graveside committal at Hawthorne Memorial Park and a reception at St. Joseph's Center. The Rosary will be prayed prior to Mass at 11:40 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund, 215 N 15th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273; or to your preferred charity.