Thelma Elizabeth Christiansen, 96, Harrisonville, MO, formerly of Archie, MO, died Monday, December 31, 2007 at Cass Medical Center, Harrisonville. Funeral services 2:00 PM Thursday, January 3, 2008 at the Archie First Baptist Church. Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, MO. Visitation 6:30-8:00 PM Wednesday, January 2 at the Atkinson Chapel, Archie. Contributions may be made to the church.

Thelma was born October 21, 1911 in Topeka, KS, the oldest of three children, to Harvey and Carrie Esther (Longwell) George. Her childhood was spent traveling with her parents, as her father was an inspector for the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1918 he changed jobs and became foreman for the St. Louis Car Co. in the Engineering Department. It was in St. Louis that Thelma spent her school years, graduating from Beaumont High School in 1931. She attended the Marinello School of Cosmetology and graduated in 1933. Thelma spent a lot of time watching her younger sister, Dorothy and her baby brother, Eldridge, as they enjoyed playing baseball in the neighborhood park. In the summers, she would watch her brother swimming in the rivers of St. Louis and in the winters she would go ice skating with Dorothy and Eldridge. Best of all was the fun they had at the amusement parks, and eating at the Hot Tamale Venders cart was a treat. After the death of her father, the family moved to Archie, MO, where Thelma lived until her death. In 1933, Thelma and her family joined the Archie First Baptist Church, where she met her future husband. Thelma was united in marriage to Alton Christiansen on December 19, 1934 and spent the next 58 years on the Christiansen family farm east of Archie.

Thelma was an active member in the church until she could no longer attend church. She served as the church pianist and was on the committee to purchase the first organ. She spent 55 years teaching Sunday school classes and was on the committee that wrote the History of the Butler Baptist Association. She served on the Camp Everett Committee and later on the Camp Keirsey Committee. Thelma was Worthy Matron of the Archie Chapter of the Eastern Star #380 and served as organist for the Butler Chapter #478. She was a member of the Harrisonville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Historical Society and the Genealogy Society of Cass County.

Thelma was past president of the Archie PTA in the early 1940's-1950's and continued to help the PTA as long as her health permitted. She will be remembered for popping corn at all the basketball games at Archie High School. Thelma was also a member of the Cass County Extension Council, a leader of the Archie 4H Club and taught Red Cross courses in Home Nursing. She wsa a member of the Archie Extension Club and was a charter member of the Better Homes Club of Archie.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her life-long companion, Alton Christiansen, on June 29, 1999, an infant daughter, Dorothy May, one brother, Eldridge and one sister, Dorothy. She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Gunnels and her husband, Stanley, Archie, MO; one son, Harold Christiansen and his wife, Marcia, Archie, MO; four grandchildren, Deborah Bellis and husband, Eddie, Raylun Christiansen and wife, Amber, John Christiansen and wife, Becky and Lisa Hern and husband, James; six great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; one great-great-step-grandson and one great-great-granddaughter. Thelma was a loving mother and her family was her pride and joy.