Lola M Christianson

LOLA MARIE CHRISTIANSON November 18, 1929 – July 14, 2020 Lola Marie Christianson, age 90, a lifelong Ponsford Prairie area resident, peacefully passed into eternity on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at the Crystal Brook Memory Care Center in Park Rapids, MN with her loved ones at her side. Lola was born into a family of 13 children on November 18, 1929 to Homer J. and Gladys (Schmaus) Burlingame at her parent’s farm on the Ponsford Prairie. She attended the Round Lake Country School through the eighth grade. As a teenager, she helped her parents with caring for her younger siblings and completing many household tasks. On June lst, 1948, Lola was united in marriage to Kent Stewart Christianson at the Parish house at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church. The young couple made their home on the Christianson family farm in Pine Point Township. Their marriage was blessed with four sons: David, Dennis, Dean and Douglas and finally a daughter, Janice “Niecy”. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious fried chicken and fresh-baked bread. Each week she would bake 10 loaves of bread, a pan or two of cinnamon rolls, and an ample supply of buns. In addition to caring for her growing family, she also worked alongside her husband on the farm helping with feeding and milking cows, feeding calves, and working in the fields haying and helping with the harvest. For many years she drove truck hauling grain and would darn socks while waiting for loads. Each spring she looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden which she nurtured into fruitful abundance for her family with any surplus being shared with neighbors and extended family. She also raised 200 chickens each year for the freezer and maintained a flock of 100 laying hens to sell eggs for a little extra spending money. When her three oldest boys were small she would sew them matching shirts making a sharp-looking trio as the family sat together in church each Sunday. Lola had a deep and abiding faith and was an active and faithful member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church of Ponsford. She helped with many church dinners and bazaars over her lifetime and also helped with church cleaning for many years. Lola was also a member of the Ponsford Prairie Partners Homemaking Club. Later in her life, she enjoyed traveling and spending time at several Northern MN resorts with her sister, Jean, and her family. Above all, Lola cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her five children: David Christianson of the Ponsford Prairie, Dennis (Jackie) Christianson of Park Rapids, Dean (Louise) Christianson who live on the same Ponsford Prairie farm where Lola grew up, Doug Christianson also of the Ponsford Prairie and Janice (Dale Solberg) Christianson of Park Rapids; 5 grandchildren; 9 step-grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 23 step-great-grandchildren and 25 step great-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Barb Frazier of Park Rapids; and Elaine (Larry) Nelson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; four brothers: George (Donna) Burlingame of Washington State, Ray (Jenny) Burlingame of Smethport, Pennsylvania, Donnie (Linda) Burlingame of Odessa, Texas and Dwight (Audrey) Burlingame of Indianapolis, Indiana; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Lola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kent who died in 1992; two sisters; Jean and Lois and four brothers: Jim, Fred, Robert, and John. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids with Father Thomas Friedl celebrating. Annette Haas will lead the mass music. Active casket bearers will be her grandsons: Kent Christianson, Kyle Christianson, Terry Burlingame, Scott Burlingame, Joshua Burlingame, Andy Tretbar, Greg Tretbar and Joe Tretbar. Honorary casket bearers will be: Kim, Keith and Brinley Lapinoja, Amber Solberg, Meagan Solberg, Kathy Pachel, Brenda Tretbar, Sue Burlingame, Pam Christianson, Mitch Christianson, Nick Christianson, Daniel Christianson and Parker Christianson; as well as all other grandchildren. Interment will be made in the Linnell Cemetery near Ponsford. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services on Wednesday. A luncheon will be hosted by the church family following the service. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com