Christiansen, Helen

Helen Imogene Garber Moore Christiansen passed peacefully at her home in Inver Grove Heights on August 25, 2020.

Born in McCallsburg, Iowa, June 27, 1921 to Lester Henry Garber and Leona Belle Hutchison Garber. Helen had two brothers, Samuel Burton Garber and Henry Dale Garber.  All preceded her in death.  Helen was raised in Graettinger, Iowa.

Married to Donald Ross Moore on October 3, 1942.  Don passed on May 15, 1976.

Helen attended college in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Mankato, Minnesota receiving diplomas in elementary school education.  Helen began her teaching career in Zearing, Iowas.  She taught 5^th grade in Minnesota Lake, MN for more than 20 years.

Helen and Don raised four daughters in Minnesota Lake; Christine, Maureen, Barb and Mari.  After Don’s passing, Helen became a foster mother to Angela Strehlo.

Helen and Don and their daughters enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada, family trips to Iowa, and traveling in the US and Europe, as well as card playing, involvement in the community and Peace United Church of Christ.

In 1985, Helen found a new winter home at Venture Out RV Resort in Mesa, AZ where she wintered until 2014.  There she met her future husband, Richard Christiansen.  They were married in Minnesota Lake, MN on June 14, 1986, and lived in Clarkston, Michigan.  They moved to Inver Grove heights, MN in 1996. Richard passed away in November 2013.  Helen moved to her new home at Timber Hills, a Presbyterian Homes retirement community.

Helen is survived by daughters, Christine (John) Volz, Minnesota Lake, MN, Maureen (Jim) Runquist, Farmington, MN, Barbara Berry, Fridley, MN, Maribeth (Steve) Brummer, Eagan, MN and foster daughter, Angela (Gil) Farala, San Diego, CA.  Grandchildren, Jack (Dora) Volz, Jill Runquist (Derrick Epple), Justin “Bud” (Tera) Runquist, Christopher (Christie) Berry, Stephen Berry, Jackie Berry, Timothy (Stacey) Brummer, Donny Brummer, Jennifer (Semenyo) Abreni, John Paul Farala, Janet Farala, and Jeffrey Farala, and family friend Deron Drummond; 14 great grandchildren,

Helen will be remembered for her strong faith, love of family, a great friend to many, sense of adventure, love of travel, strong leadership, a great teacher.

A celebration of Helen’s life will take place at a later date.  Due to COVID-19, this will be for immediate family only. Thank you for your understanding.  Donations in memory of Helen are requested for Presbyterian Homes, Peace United Church of Christ, or the Kremer House in Minnesota Lake, MN.