Christine Okrina

Christine (Idso) Okrina, age 97 of Cottonwood passed away Saturday, September 26 at the Granite Falls Manor in Granite Falls.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 30 at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Interment is in Christ Lutheran Cemetery.

Christine (Idso) Okrina was born July 23, 1912 on the family farm northwest of Cottonwood, MN to Ole and Sena (Barstad) Anderson. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed on June 12, 1927 at Silo Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. She attended country school in Normania Township. On March 17, 1934 Christine married Tormod “Tom” Idso in Cottonwood. They had two sons. Tom passed away on May 1, 1956 at their home after a battle with cancer. Christine and Leonard Okrina were married on September 26, 1964 in Cottonwood. Leonard passed away on April 27, 1970. Christine lived most of her life in Cottonwood, with the exception of a few years in Hanley Falls, MN after marrying Tom. She worked in the Skogmos store during the 1950’s and later worked at North Star Insurance for 21 years, retiring in 1977.

Christine was a lifetime member of Christ Lutheran Church, where she was a member of WELCA and enjoyed the sewing days. She was very active in the Cottonwood Senior Citizens Center, where she quilted and hemmed dishtowels. She went to the Senior Meal Site as often as she could. Christine loved the time she spent with her family and especially her grandchildren and all of their kids. She was surrounded by her many plants and flowers, and by all of her different sewing projects, which she shared with everyone who came to visit.

Christine passed away on September 26, 2009 at the Granite Falls Manor in Granite Falls at the age of 97 years, 2 months, and 3 days.

She is survived by her two sons: David (DeAnn) Idso of Shelbyville, TN and Tomas (Darlene) Idso of Nevis, MN; granddaughters: Sherry (Robert) Proctor of Redwood Falls, MN, and Peggy (Clayton) Willhite of Rapid City, SD; grandsons: Kenny Idso of Alexandria, MN, Kevin (Tammy) Idso of St. Paul, MN, Kacy (Tami) Idso of Hanley Falls, MN, Jason (Terry) Idso of Litchfield, MN, and Nathan (Lynette) Idso of St. Peter, MN; granddaughter-in-law Brandy Idso; 21 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces; nephews; and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Sena; husbands Tom Idso and Leonard Okrina; brothers: Swen (Claire) Anderson, Andrew (Alta) Anderson, and Edward (Mabel) Anderson; sisters: Marie (Clarence) Garry, and Margaret (Theodore) Norgord; half-brother Chris Anderson; and half-sisters Helen (Edward) Varpness and Francis (Carl) Oftedahl; grandson Kristian Idso; daughter-in-law Georgia Idso; and grandson-in-law Larry Janiszeski.

Blessed be the memory of Christine Anderson Idso Okrina.