Marie Jean Mathern's Obituary
Marie Jean Christensen Mathern passed away in Puyallup, Washington on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, just two days after her 88th birthday.
Born in Lewistown, Montana on April 12, 1927 to Andrew Christensen and Pearl Irene (Olsen) Christensen, Marie was the eldest of five children. She grew up in Montana and graduated from high school in Miles City in 1945.
On June 24, 1950 Marie married the love of her life, Joseph Mathern. In 1956, they moved to Colorado Springs, CO where they lived most of their life together. They had two daughters, Judy Rene’ & Tana Rae. In 1975, after 24 years of marriage, cancer took Joe at the young age of 49.
Marie loved living alongside the beautiful Colorado Rockies in the shadow of Pikes Peak. She enjoyed volunteering and helped at a number of local charities and at her church. She enjoyed hiking and was an avid walker. She loved dancing, anything pink, and spending time with family & friends.
In 2008 a massive stroke left her partially paralyzed and dependent on others for daily care. She moved into assisted living in Puyallup, Washington to live near her daughter, Judy. Her caregivers quickly gave her the nickname “Sweet Marie”. She was a favorite among the staff there and in the medical facility where she spent her last weeks of life.
Marie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, & great-grandmother.
She is survived by her daughter Judy Kent (Roy), two grandchildren, Justin Kent (Nicole) and Kristen Schmidt (Thomas), two great grandchildren, Austin & Elle, two brothers Andrew J. Christensen (Sally) & Paul Christensen (Jeanette), her sister, Dolores Hainer (Bill) and many loving nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Marie is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Mathern in 1975, her daughter, Tana Mathern in 2005, and her sister, Evelyn Haun.
Marie’s ashes will be buried along side her beloved husband, Joe, in Forsyth, Montana later this summer.
Memorial donations may be given to either of Marie’s church families that she cherished: Faith Lutheran Church, 315 Security Blvd., Security, CO 80911 or to Light of the Hill UMC, 11304 136th Street East, Puyallup, WA 98374 or to a charity of your choice.
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