Wynelle "Mac" Christensen, 88, of Redfield formerly of Athol, died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. Her funeral will be Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational UCC Church in Redfield. The Rev. Tim Fugman will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1 to 8 p.m., with the family present from 4 to 6 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield.
Wynelle was born on Jan. 12, 1924, to Alfred Lee and Nannie Mae (Williams) McKibben in Pavo, Ga. As a child, she lived in her hometown of Pavo, Ga., where the family raised cotton, tobacco and peanuts.
Wynelle served America during her early adult years, building airplanes for the government at the Jacksonville Florida Naval Base. Her responsibilities were putting the belly and wings on airplanes. Women at that time were known as "Rosie the Riveters" because of the responsibilities given to them by the government. It was there she met her husband, Garfield. She married Garfield Christensen July 15, 1946, at Aberdeen. They began farming near Northville, and in 1947 moved to their farm near Athol, where they farmed until his death.
Wynelle was a member of the Athol and Redfield Congregational Church. Wynelle enjoyed gardening and baking. She so often shared her recipes and gardening items with friends and neighbors.
Survivors include her five children: Beverly (George) Van Houten, Bloomington, Minn., Betty (Lynn) Julian, Phoenix Ariz., Patsy Herrmann, Black Hawk, S.D., Douglas (Sue) Christensen, Ashton, and Russell (Debbie) Christensen, Athol; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; sisters: Mert Futch, Jacksonville, Fla., and Sallie Chadwick, Moultrie, GAa.; brother Watson McKibben, Fayeville, N.C.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Garfield, in 2000; sisters: Edna Francis, Margaret Ricca; and brothers: Alton McKibben, Orvan McKibben and Austin McKibben
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