Solveig Christopherson

Solveig E. Christopherson, 94, a resident of River Bend Apartments in Fergus Falls, died Sunday, August 29, 2010, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. Solveig was born in the Yukon Territory on March 22, 1916, the youngest of five girls born in a log cabin along the Yukon River to B. Albert and Nora (Pederson) Henrikson. Solveig in Norwegian means “Suns Way”. The family came to Fergus Falls in December of 1916 for her father’s medical care by Dr. O. Theo Sherping. Following her father’s death the family remained in Fergus Falls. The sisters were baptized by the Reverend S. J. N. Ylvisaker of First Lutheran Church, and Solveig was honored for perfect attendance in Sunday school and confirmation. She attended school in Fergus Falls, graduating from high school with the class of 1933, and has since helped organize four great class reunions, including the 70th mini reunion. She was a competitor in softball, tennis, basketball, and bowling, and in her “senior” years was an avid swimmer at the Y. A highlight of her life was leading the Fergus Falls Drum and Bugle Corps at many Minnesota fairs, and winning national honors in Miami, Florida. Solveig was a secretary for the Otter Tail County Welfare programs, the County Engineer’s office, the County Sheriff, the Fergus Falls High School, and for 16 years in the Evaluation of Multi-handicapped Children before her retirement in 1973. On Easter Sunday, April 17, 1938, she and Leonard Christopherson were married in Bethlehem Lutheran Church by Reverend H. I. Muus. She and Leonard enjoyed fishing, square dancing, and attending their children’s sports events and music concerts. Family history was kept via her ever-present camera. In 1994, eight years after Leonard’s death, she moved from their home on South Cascade Street to the River Bend Apartments, enjoying the view of the river, geese, swans, and her 6th floor “family”.  Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, and four sisters: Ann Scott, Nettie Johnson, Aurora Borealis Leipper, and Sally Wells.  Survivors include her sons, Karmon (Meridel) Christopherson of St. Anthony Village, MN, and Charles (Jean) Christopherson of St. Cloud, MN; her daughter, Karen (Warren) Weigand of Mesquite, NV; eight grandchildren: Paul (Tracie) Christopherson, Lisa (John) Kleinwolterink, Mike Weigand, Mark (Staci) Weigand, Matt (Youngsun) Weigand, Melissa (Aaron) Melancon, Susan Christopherson Ardoff, and Rob Christopherson; 13 great-grandchildren: Abigail, Matti, Kaydee, Alyna, Joseph, Samuel, Tasha, Marty, Austin, Lucas, McKayla, Makenzie, and Morgan; her sister-in-law and husband, Vivian and Orvin Sletten; loving nephews and nieces; and two cousins in Norway. Visitation:5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, September 4, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Kate Bruns Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery, Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Cemetery