Dorothy Mae Christensen, 88, peacefully passed away at her home on May 25, 2005 in the presence of her family. Dorothy was born April 9, 1917 to Colburn and Carrie (Keith) Kennedy of Cole Harbor, N.D.

In 1935 Dorothy married Henning Ellison Christensen in North Dakota. After their marriage they came west and settled on their farm at Dugualla Bay, followed shortly thereafter by their families. They spent 61 happy years together on Whidbey Island where they worked turning the flats into beautiful cropland and the rocky upper fields into pastureland for the cows they raised.

Dorothy was a member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. She became a follower of Jesus Christ in her childhood and was always grateful to Him and faithful in giving Him praise for her family, her daily bread and her many blessings. She was active until her death serving Him in various ways; singing and teaching Sunday School in the early days, and in the many ways of the ladies circles. She particularly loved piecing countless quilts for world missions. At home, she was known for her bread baking, canning and the meals she prepared from everything that grew in her garden. She was an out-of-doors person, always interested in the land.

Henning preceded Dorothy in death in 1996. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Arthur Kennedy and his wife Travis, Burl Kennedy and his wife Lydia. Robert Keith, a beloved cousin, who was raised with her as a brother, also preceded her.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Darlene Kingma and her husband Vernon of Camano Island, her son Ron and his wife Sue of Oak Harbor; her precious grandchildren, Brenda Mueller and her husband Tom of Camano Island, Sherri Frisbee and her husband Steve of Kirkland, Troy Christensen of Parker, Arizona, Kim Christensen of Mukilteo, Amy Lopit and her husband Ed of Mukilteo, and Brian Christensen of Redmond. Dorothy also leaves her dear great-grandchildren: Erin Pankow, Lyrica Mueller, Annie Pankow, Mark Frisbee, Cameron Mueller, Brittany Frisbee, Christy Lopit, Scott Frisbee, Carly Lopit, Tyler Mueller, Sterling Mueller, Joseph Christensen and Eric Lopit. She leaves one sister-in-law, Willa Belle Christensen, and loved nieces and nephews. She also leaves many special and dear friends for whom she had the greatest affection. She will be greatly missed by those whom she knew and loved.

Services were held May 31 at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.