Bernadine (Sifrit) Christensen

Bernadine Christensen, 86, of Kent, has entered into paradise and is no longer in pain or discomfort.  She died on June 2nd and leaves behind her husband, Stanley Christensen and a full legacy of Children, Grandchildren and Great grandchildren.  Bernie (as she was mostly known) was married to Stan for almost 65 years.

Bernie was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1935 and graduated from Ames High School in 1953 and married Stan in 1956.  She was a Chemical Tech while attending Iowa State before moving to Ithaca, NY to support her family by selling Avon while Stan received his PhD in Physics at Cornell.  Soon after moving to Kent in 1964, she became involved with the Kent Presbyterian church.  Bernie was a “Supermom” and a volunteer for organizations, too many to mention.  Bernie was in leadership in the church as well as being involved with the Presbytery.  Bernie was a devoted marching-band mom for her children at Kent Roosevelt High School.  She was a caring, giving, and compassionate person and well known in the community for her service-oriented life.  Even when Bernie was homebound, she continued to stay active by volunteering by making phone calls for various organizations. When she was moved to a full-time care facility, she persisted in being pleasant to her caregivers.  These qualities just seemed to come natural for her.  An awesome Wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to so many.

There will be a memorial service at 1 p.m., followed by a reception until 4 p.m. to celebrate the life of Bernie Christensen at the Kent Presbyterian Church on Sunday, June 13th.

“You left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide, although we cannot see you, you’re always at our side”.  Thank you, God, for giving us a beautiful Angel on earth and for taking her home to be a beautiful Angel in Heaven.  Now we know why people say that heaven is so beautiful…it has Bernie there.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to United Christian Ministries, PO Box 646, Kent, OH 44240 www.myucm.org.  Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory, 628 W. Main Street, Kent, Ohio 44240.