Florence Christian

Florence “Flo” Jane (Renchin) Christian, age 92, went home to rest in the arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 19, 2026 in New Richland, Minnesota. A celebration of life will be held at Hayward Lutheran Church, Hayward, MN on Saturday, September 26th at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at Bayview Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN on Friday, September 25th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m and for an hour prior to the service at the church. Florence will be laid to rest alongside her husband Bob at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado with graveside and Eastern Star Service.

Florence was born August 5, 1934 in Owatonna, Minnesota, the first child of five children to Anton “Tony” C. and Agnes M. (Styndl) Renchin. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1952 and was united in marriage to Robert W. Christian on October 21, 1953. Flo was a devoted wife to Bob and mother to Daniel, Gary, Diane, Gayle and Darlene. Florence and Bob moved their young family to Westminster, Colorado in 1962 where she was a dedicated Christian and a very active and long-time member of Valley Lutheran Church. She was a fifty-eight year member of the Order of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron of Fern Chapter #94, Temple Chapter #96 and Loyalty Chapter #145. Flo also served as Grand Electa, Grand Escort and Grand Representative to Rhode Island. She was a showroom manager at the Denver Merchandise Mart for more than 35 years; enjoyed being a Tupperware Dealer for 20+ years and a product promoter for 10+ years, retiring at the age of 80. Throughout her life she enjoyed creating cherished memories with family and friends, polka dancing, playing cards, and going to garage sales. We will always remember and treasure Flo’s strength of character, her friendly nature, her laughter, her guidance, and her love. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Flo is survived by her three remaining devoted and loving children: Dan (Diane) Christian of Westminster, CO; Diane (Lynn) Ballard-Gilby of Brackettville, TX; Darlene Christian Garduno of Hayward, MN; daughter-in-law Linda Christian of Albert Lea, MN; 14 grandchildren, Tim (Debbie) Ballard, Jessica (Chris) Decker, Sean Chase, Sr., Joshua (Shelly) Ballard, Jeremiah (Amanda) Ballard, Kevin Christian, Jamie Becker, Jonathon (Danielle) Christian, Dustin (Ami) Garduno, Miranda (Drew) Wiechmann (Garduno), Meaghan (Juan) Cazares-Gonzalez, Jacob Christian, Hunter (Sarah) Gilby (Garduno), McKenzie Gilby (Garduno); 31 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren; sister Bernice King of Cambridge, WI; sister-in-law Kate Renchin of Wellington, FL; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Bob of 55 years; parents, Anton and Agnes Renchin; son Gary Christian; daughter Gayle Lyon (Doug) Sydall; son-in-law James Ballard; great-grandson Aric Ballard; brother Donald (MaryAlice) Renchin; sister Carol (David) Becker, Sr.; brother Robert “Red” Renchin; sister-in-law Judy Renchin; brother-in-law Maynard King; sister-in-law Shirley (Wes) Nelson; and lifelong friends Bob and Rosemary Graham.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Prairie Senior Cottages in New Richland and Prairie Grace Hospice for their tender care they provided to Flo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to honor Florence may be made to Loyalty Chapter #145, C/O Molly Sanders, Secretary, 8043 Wolff Street Unit A, Westminster, CO 80031, memo line: Flo Christian or online, at https://www.zeffy.com/enUS/donation-form/donations-helping-loyalty-145-helping-others.

The service will be livestreamed on Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home's Facebook page using the link below. In the case of technical difficulties, a recording will be posted to this page after the service.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1MhxLg4MVa/