Lola Mae (Throop) Christensen

Lola Mae (Throop) Christensen was born to Ben and Gladys Throop on March 4, 1937 on her mother’s 32nd birthday.  She died peacefully at her home in rural Dannebrog on June 13, 2021.

Lola attended Howard County Public Schools graduating from Dannebrog High School in 1955.  She attended Kearney State College from 1955 – 1958, achieving certification as a K – 8 teacher.  She began her teaching career at District #47 in Howard County and then taught at Overton Public Schools.  She married Bryan Christensen on August 10, 1958 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Dannebrog.  After living in Overton, they moved to Boelus, Grand Island, and then settled on the farm near Dannebrog in 1970.

Bryan and Lola had three children, Jeff (Holly) of rural Dannebrog, Joel (Becky) of Fruitland, IA, and Julie (Roger) Norton of Lincoln.   She was the “cool grandma” to Joshua (Supra) of Louisville, KY, Jacob of Potter, NE, Meagan of Cedar Rapids, IA, Heather (Andy) of Cedar Rapids, IA, Heidi (Coy) of Solon, IA, Shelby (Nick) of Lincoln, NE and Elizabeth (Andrew) of Adel, IA.  She had three great-grandchildren, with another on the way.  Additional surviving family includes sisters-in-law Janet Fenton and Dorothy Throop both of Grand Island.  Lola was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws, husband Bryan, brother Vern Throop, and brother-in-law Bill Fenton.

Lola stayed at home on the farm with her children until they were through school, and then began waitressing and cooking part-time.  She worked alongside Harriet Nielsen at Harriet’s Danish in Dannebrog for over 20 years.  She loved cooking either for, or with, her grandchildren.  Lola was determined to instill in them a love for Danish food either through eating it, cooking it, or both.

Memorial Services will be held at 4:30 P.M. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Dannebrog on Friday, June 18, followed by a time for fellowship.  Masks are not required, but are optional.  A Private Burial will be held at the Loup Fork Cemetery near Boelus, prior to the service.  There will be no visitation.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Tabitha Hospice, or family’s choice.  Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting the family.