Obituary of Eileen Christenson

Eileen Flora Christenson was born in England to Leonard and Flora Head, February 11, 1938. On Friday, July 27th, 2018, at the age of 80, Eileen moved to Heaven with her children Andy, Anna and Jane holding her hands, surrounding her in love. Eileen was predeceased by her parents, older brother Bill and her husband Eric.

Eileen adventured to Alberta, in the early 1960's, after a close friend and fellow nurse had moved to Canada. It would be a short time after landing a nursing job in Killam, Alberta, that Eileen would meet a grain farmer and cattle rancher named Eric Christenson.

They fell in love and flew to England to be married on March 30, 1964. They returned to Canada to work Hillcrest farm, south of Killam. Eileen enjoyed life, particularly the simple things; family, friends, children and the outdoors. For a tiny English lady, farm life was difficult at times but she embraced it. Eileen planted a vegetable garden each year from which she did canning and freezing for the winter. She fought off many bees and wasps to pick wild berries to make jams, jellies and syrups. Her favourite outdoor activity was her English style flower gardens. Every summer, she tended to the flowers from which she enjoyed making bouquets, pressed floral bookmarks and cards to share with others.

The door to the farm house was always open. Friends and neighbors frequently dropped in for a cup of tea and some lively conversation, around the table or from the kitchen rocking chair.

Eileen was a kind, compassionate, giving woman, who always went out of her way to be there for others. She always put other people before herself. As children, we knew that mum would be there for any of us with her unconditional love. When school friends would come to the farm, they too would be welcomed with fresh cookies or baked bread, receiving a big hug and a “good to see you!”

Eileen devoted a lot of time to volunteering in the community at the “Twice-Nice" store and serving at the Knox United Church. She had knitted over 70 prayer shawls, sewed together knitted squares on an ongoing basis, made hats for preemie –babies, knit many mittens, did children’s ministry and after school programs. She served at numerous weddings, funerals and gatherings with her many church friends. She also volunteered with special needs children in her home and in their school so they could be supported in their education and leisure time. Eileen also enjoyed working with the Special Olympics Society. She volunteered to take foster children into the family home. She always said, “We have enough for our family, why wouldn’t we share what we have with others in need.” Eileen also volunteered for six years with the Canadian Cancer Society doing patient services. The message of her heart was always, "To care for others at all times!"

In her last two years of life, Eileen moved to the Sherwood Park area where she lived in her own “little house” a few feet from Jane's home and across the field from Andy.

Family and close friends still visited and Eileen continued to maintain friendships through phone calls, visits, text messaging and receiving and sending cards.

She often travelled down to Strathmore to visit Anna and her family. They enjoyed picnics in the mountains down by the Bow River and Bragg Creek. She also watched her grandchildren in their sporting activities. Many trips were made back to mum’s little house for sleepovers but even when distance kept us apart, daily messaging or phone calls were always something to look forward to. Nick and Hannah enjoyed many fun texts to grandma sharing what they were up to or just sending her their love.

As Eileen was often thinking of others and being mindful of the hurting and less fortunate, she continued sewing the Killam United Church knitted squares into blankets. The SMILE Edmonton group would then distribute them to the homeless and she loved seeing pictures of thankful recipients. Jane and her mum enjoyed frequent times of praying and doing Bible studies together. There was always joy-filled discussion about how God was answering their prayers and revealing His love in unexpected ways. Jane will treasure the memories of mum’s early morning texts from the “Little House” letting her know that she was awake and ready to hear what was on that day’s agenda for her and the family.

Ken and Eileen often got each other riled up as they sat together watching curling and of course she always cheered for her favourite, that "Cute" Brad Gushue. Also being an avid Oilers fan, Eileen and Mike would be in constant contact by text, during the games, commenting back and forth.

Most meals were shared together at either Jane’s or Andy’s home. Weekly Sunday breakfasts out with Andy, Shelly and the girls were often followed by an outing to Greenland Garden Centre or other local attractions. Eileen also enjoyed watching Ava and Myla at swimming, gymnastics or school events. The girls would often get off the bus for after school cookies or ice cream. The older grandchildren, away at university or work, would call or come home regularly to visit with Grandma. They knew they could freely share what was on their heart about school, work or relationships. They were met with support, encouragement and maybe some pocket money for pizza. Grandma would also willingly be a captive audience to viola practices or long explanations of how something was going to work.

Left to carry her legacy forward are:
daughter Jane (Ken) Gamroth; daughter Anna (Mike) Wylie; son Andy (Shelly) Christenson; grandchildren Cody Gamroth, Kayla (Jesse) Friesen, Brady Gamroth; Nick Wylie, Hannah Wylie; Ava Christenson and Myla Christenson; her brother John Head and brother-in-law Alan Christenson.

Eileen will be remembered in many significant ways but especially for her sacrificial love and kindness. The farm house door was always open, with a pot of tea and a plate of cookies at the ready. Her listening ear was appreciated by many time and again.

“A mother holds her children’s hands for a while,
But their hearts forever!”

Monetary donations in remembrance of Eileen can be made to The Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, Knox United Church Mission and Service, or the Killam and District Health Care Foundation.

A community gathering will take place between 2-4 pm, on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at Knox United Church in Killam, Alberta. Please come as you are to our celebration and have a cup of tea with the family.