Kathrine Felma Christensen, 82

Kathrine Felma Christensen was born to Leonard and Felma Kopman on May 17, 1930, in Gackle, N.D., where they lived until 1942, when the family moved to Battle Ground, Wash.

Kathrine married Paul Christensen on April 4, 1954. After Paul's death, she moved to Kalispell, in 1994.

In recent months, she had been awaiting her eternal reward and “her wings of faith carried her to Heaven” on Jan. 31, 2013. Katherine was 82 years old.

Kathrine was a lifelong member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. As the oldest living member of the Kopman family, she was like a mother to her siblings, including nieces and nephews, and many others. She loved and so generously helped those in need, both naturally and spiritually.

 Grateful for her love and example are her children, Janice and Alvin Hanson of Kalispell, and Leon Christensen of Gillette, Wyo.; her siblings, Wesley and Elna Kopman of Billings, Alice Koskiniemi of Brush Prairie, Wash., Ethel Schoenborn of Vancouver, Wash., Felix and Mary Kopman of Bryant, S.D., Dale and Jeanie Kopman of Hayti, S.D., Rose (wife of her late brother Frank) Kopman of Brush Prairie, and Laverne (husband of her late sister Clara) Lehtola of Hayti; her six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews; and many friends and other relatives.

Kathrine was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Christensen; her parents, Felma and Leonard Kopman; one brother, Frank Kopman; her sisters, Clara Lehtola and an infant sister JoAnn; brothers-in-law, Glen Koskiniemi and Larry Schoenborn; and many other dear friends and relatives.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Lakeside. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, 215 Blacktail Road, Lakeside. Interment will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Elim Cemetery in Brush Prairie.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family’s needs. You are invited to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to leave personal condolences.