Barbara A. Christensen

In Loving Memory of Barbara Arlene Christensen

Barbara Arlene Christensen passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving daughter and the loving staff assisting her at her home at Heartis Mid Cities on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Barbara will be remembered as a woman of faith, loving daughter, sister, friend, mother, and Grandma Barb. She taught me (her daughter) patience, loyalty and kindness. In these last years, she thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her family. It was my honor and privilege to care for her these past 3 1/2 years.

Barbara was born to David and Erma Soper, April 1, 1933 in Herrick, South Dakota. She spent her early years growing up in Redondo Beach, CA and then her family moved to Butte, Nebraska where they opened Soper’s Hatchery. Barbara graduated from Butte High School in 1951 and then attended Rapid City (SD) School of Business where she met her husband Harold “Doc” Christensen.

They met on a “double date” as the opposite dates. Doc graduated from SD School of Mines. They married June 10, 1952 and honeymooned in Kansas City on the way to Doc’s first job (and only job) with Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, OK where they made their first home. With the money from wedding gifts, they set up house in a very small guest house and had to borrow $50 to buy a fan until Doc got his first paycheck.

During those years in Bartlesville, her daughter Debra and son Rodney were born. With Doc, she raised her family at Redeemer Lutheran Church serving various volunteer capacities. I remember her volunteering through the Dorcas Society to go to a local nursing home to do hair. As I grew up, people sometimes thought Mom was my sister. I realized later it was because she was so beautiful and young. She was a wonderful “stay at home” mom supporting her children in all their endeavors. Barbara was also an avid golfer, earning several trophies and participating in the Women’s Golf Associations at Sunset and Hillcrest Country Clubs.

Over the years. Doc and Barbara made many close friends, with whom they lived life together to the fullest. They outlived all of them, but the memories were precious.

In retirement, they moved to April Sound, Texas where they made good friends and played a lot of golf. The last years have been spent in a retirement facility in Bedford, TX near their daughter.

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband of 73 years, Doc, her parents, a stillborn brother Richard and brother Roger. She is survived by her daughter Debra McDaniels (son-in-law Rusty), her son Rodney Christensen (daughter-in-law Kaye), granddaughters Melissa Cheatham (Matt), Christy Horne (Kyle), Kevin Christensen (Lori), 10 great grandchildren (Campbell, Cooper, Conley, Maddie, Hudson, Austin, Christen, Miranda, Grayson, Alyson) and 5 great-great granddaughters (Cambree, Codee, Chloe, Josie, Emersyn)

As the spouse of a WWII veteran, she will be interred with her husband, Doc, in the Columbarium at the DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, TX. Her family will honor and celebrate her memory by visiting the site together when the interment is complete