Mary Ellen Christianson

A life-long resident of Great Falls, Mary Ellen Christianson, 89, died August 27, 2016 at the Beehive. Mary Ellen was born February 20, 1927 to Jess and Ellen “Nellie” Whitaker. She attended local schools in Great Falls, MT. Mary Ellen went to work at the ACM Company during World War II, where she received special recognition from visiting General Mark Clark. She married Carl Christianson on September 2, 1945. For many years, Mary Ellen and Carl were a striking, stylish couple on the dance floor and the golf course at the Meadowlark Country Club. A lover of music, she worked at Kopp’s Music Store downtown and later managed Holiday Record Center in the mall. She also worked for many years at Char’s Clothing Store. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the Legion of Mary, Catholic Daughters of America and championed the rights of pre-born children. Mary Ellen never forgot the struggles of growing up during the Great Depression and lived her life with zest and a love for people. She proudly served on the Board of Trustees of the Cascade County Nursing Home. Fun loving and adventurous, she recounted having danced on the tables while in Greece. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by infant daughter Jean Marie, husband Carl Christianson, brother Jack Whitaker; and sisters, Pat Aafedt and Theresa Wellman. She is survived by her son John “Sean” Christianson of Great Falls; daughter Kathleen Gliewe (Klaus) and numerous nieces and nephews. A rosary will be said at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Black Eagle, 2200 Smelter Ave., at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 followed by a funeral mass. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. “She has finished the race, she has kept the faith. Laid up for her is a crown in heaven.”