Julia Christensen

Beloved wife, sister, auntie, friend, Presbyterian USA Pastor. Born June, 1950. Died November 9th, 2018. Julie was a constant source of light to all. Survived by husband, Carl Christensen; granddaughter, Tahlia Girton; stepson, David (Renee) Christensen; stepdaughter, Deanne Christensen Girton; sisters, Kathleen Vellenga, Anita (Russ) Cummings; nieces, Charlotte (Carlos) Landreau , Carolyn (Greg) Berman; nephews, Alan (Tareneh) Prosser, Tom (Julie Schmid) Vellenga, Brian (Kitty McBride) Prosser, Kevin (Stina) Lane Cummings, Tim (Dawn) Cumming, Chris (Tami) Cummings; grand nieces and nephews. Julie will also be missed by staff at Waverly Gardens and dear staff/companions Holly Anderson and Julie Berger. She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Marjorie Osborne and sister, Janet Prosser. Julie was born in Brookings, South Dakota. Graduated from Torrington, Wyoming high school and Macalester College. She taught high school in Roseville before being called to the ministry. Julie graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and later served on the Alumni board. She was ordained at Dayton Ave. Presbyterian Church, St. Paul. Julie served as associate pastor in DePere, Wi, where she met her loving husband Carl. She continued her ministry as pastor in Henryville, Indiana while Carl was in seminary. They were co-pastors in Torrington, Wyoming and in Tipton and Elwood, Indiana. She had a true pastor's hearta�"full of love for everyone. Julie's sermons were based on a brilliant understanding of texts and an intimate relationship with God, a fierce desire for justice, and a deep love of peoplea�"delivered with a lively sense of humor. She tended the sick and poor in spirit, knew no strangers, and relished taking confirmation students on trips, including Israel, Scotland and France. She and Carl loved the mountains and traveling. When Julie and Carl retired, they moved to Maplewood, MN, then to Waverly Gardens. Julie cared deeply about her family and her dog Dulcie. Her neighbors at Waverly agreed that Julie had a smile and story for everyone and her outrageous sense of humor could bring laughter to friends and staff. Service will be held at New Life Presbyterian Church in Roseville, Thanksgiving weekend.