Margaret Christiaens

Margaret Mary Christiaens, 82, of Valier, MT passed away peacefully at her home in Valier on the 28th of April, 2017 surrounded by loving family.

Vigil services will be Monday, May 1, at 7pm. Funeral mass will be Tuesday, May 2, at 11am. Both services will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church.

Margaret was born in Vanden Broek Township of Outagamie County, Wisconsin to Martin Henry and Mary Wilhenurica (Vander Loop) Evers on May 7th, 1934. She excelled in school, especially in math, and won a prestigious award for bookkeeping in high school.  Before graduating from high school, she went to work for an insurance company whose owner was very disappointed when she quit to marry the love of her life, Donald Maurice Christiaens of Valier, MT, on October 7th, 1954 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Little Chute, WI.  The newlyweds honeymooned in Wisconsin Dells before moving home to Montana where they lived together for over fifty years.  Starting out on a small farm “Up North” near the Sweetgrass Hills.

Marg was a dedicated mother with a strong Catholic faith that she passed onto her family and friends.  She was a determined woman with an innate ability to  “squeeze a penny to get a dime”.  Her faith and determination helped her family of 12 children through many difficult times.

After numerous jobs and relocations throughout Montana and Minnesota, Marg and Don founded Christiaens Meats and Grocery in Valier in 1979. At their 25th anniversary celebration, she told Don that he had ruled the first 25 years but the next 25 years were hers. He laughed and said, “Okay!” They had made their last move.  She retired from the grocery business in May, 2000.

Margaret enjoyed following all of her 41 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren in all of their endeavors, especially their sporting events.  Even without FaceBook, Grandma knew everything that was happening in their lives since she was always someone we could go to and ask for prayers knowing she would follow through with their many intentions.   The annual Easter family reunion was always a treasured time together catching up with the happenings in everyone’s life.  She enjoyed traveling to visit the “girls” in Minnesota during the holidays and summers.

Marg was very involved with numerous organizations near to her heart, which included the American Legion Auxiliary, Emmett Ryan Unit #36 as treasurer and St. Francis PCCW.  She also served on the board of directors of the Wells Fargo Bank of Valier.  Her hobbies included cards, games and crocheting many afghans for every family member.  She always had a deck of cards or the dominoes ready for any visitors and could recall every score, winning or losing.

Margaret is survived by her children, Donna (Jeff) Ellsworth of Fergus Falls, MN, Jean (Roy) King and Beverly (Russell) Wilson of Breckenridge, MN, Juanita (Landis) Meeks of Cut Bank, MT, Kenneth (Judith Baker) Christiaens of Kalispell, MT, Raymond (Shawn) Christiaens, Kevin, MT, Rodney (Jacqueline) Christiaens, Janet (Johnny) Stokes, and Dean (Ann) Christiaens of Valier, MT, Becky (Todd) Rathbun of St. Michael, MN and Kurt (Tassie) Christiaens of Valier, MT.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Donald in 2005 and her oldest son, Keith.