STURGIS, S.D. - Graveside services for Margaret E. Christensen, 88, will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Black Hills National Cemetery. The Rev. Cliff Moore of Sundance, will officiate.

Visitation will be from 4 to7 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home.

She died on May 4, 2008, at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home of natural causes.

She was born in Harlan, Iowa on Sept. 23, 1919, the daughter of Simon and Annie (Anderson) Mathiasen. She graduated from Harlan High School and received her R.N. degree in 1940, from Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital Nursing School in Omaha, Neb.

On April 14, 1941, she entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant serving as a nurse at Ft. Francis E. Warren Hospital until May 7, 1942.

�On March 28, 1942, she married Lt. John F. Christensen at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Cheyenne, and shortly thereafter moved to Sturgis near Ft. Meade where he was stationed.

Subsequent moves were made to Omaha, Palm Springs, Calif., Ft. Riley, Kan., and Paris, Texas. She worked as a registered nurse near where her husband was stationed after her discharge from the Army.

Upon his discharge after his return from Europe, they returned to the family ranch south of Gillette.

After returning to the ranch, she cared for neighbors when the need arose.

They lived there until his death on January 4, 1983.

She remained on the ranch with her son until 1993 when she moved to Dallas, to be near her daughter and grandson.

In 1994, she returned to Gillette living in an apartment until Nov. 1996, and thereafter at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home.

She assisted in all aspects of ranching including homemaking, cooking, fencing, calving, vaccinating calves and winter feeding.

She was the 7th President of the Campbell County Cowbelles in 1960.

She was especially proud of the academic achievements of her children and grandson.

Her hobbies were sewing and needlepoint.

�She is survived by her son, John O. Christensen of Gillette; daughter, Judy B. Mortenson of Dallas; one grandson; two brothers, George Mathiasen and Don Mathiasen; sister, Ruth Rahn and numerous nieces and nephews.

�She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a sister, Norma Lansman.

�Memorial contributions for technology in Campbell County Schools may be made to the Foundation for Excellence in Education, PO Box 3033, Gillette, WY 82717.

Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716