Elaine Margaret (Masschelin) Christenson

Elaine Margaret Masschelin Christenson, 74, of Linesville, passed away at her home on May 21, 2013.

She was born on October 13, 1938, in Tipton, Kansas, the youngest of 6 children, to Mary Vermeulen Masschelin and Adolph H. Masschelin. The family moved to East Moline, IL, when Elaine was 3 and then to Tokyo, Japan, when she was in high school. Elaine graduated with honors from Narimasu American High School in Tokyo in 1956. She then moved back to the United States and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, majoring in Spanish and Pre-Nursing.

She married her first husband, Clarence Paul Szanca, in September of 1959. In the 1960's she was employed as a Bilingual Secretary for John Deere Intercontinental in Moline, IL, and as an Executive Secretary at General Motors, Euclid Division, in Ohio. In the mid-1960's they moved to their home on Pymatuning Lake in Linesville, where she resided until her death. After the passing of her first husband, Elaine married Robert Paul Christenson, Sr. in 1973 and had two children with him.

For about 6 years, Elaine was employed by The Community News newspaper in Linesville when it first began being published in the late 1980's. She was then employed by the Conneaut Lake Joint Municipal Authority as an Office Manager for approximately 11 years prior to retirement in 2004. Elaine also ran the Lakeland Equestrian Center in Linesville for a few years in the early 1990's.

She was loved by all who knew her and will always be remembered for living life to the fullest. She was known for her beautiful smile, kind heart, and quick wit. She loved animals, dogs especially, and used to compete in Obedience Trial competitions. She also loved the outdoors and country life, a love she passed on to her children. Elaine enjoyed boating and fishing at Pymatuning Lake and Conneaut Lake as well. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Elaine is survived by her two children; James Edward Christenson and his wife Jessica, of Chippewa Lake, Ohio, and Joan Elaine Christenson, of Warren, Pa.; two grandchildren, Jack and Alexandra Christenson; one sister, Mary Ann Bartholomew, from Anchorage, Alaska; many nieces and nephews; and her special companion who never left her side for the last 10 years, her dog, Ellie.

She was preceded in death by both husbands; parents; 4 siblings; Anna Brooks, Elmer (Ed) Masschelin, Albert Masschelin and Jack (Jr.) Masschelin; and a nephew, Tom Bartholomew.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville with Father Chris Hamlett of St. Philip Roman Catholic Church officiating.  The family will receive friends on Saturday before the service from noon until the service at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made, in honor of Elaine, to The ANNA Shelter (for animals) at 1555 E. 10th Street, Erie, PA 16511.

Please share a condolence or memory of Elaine for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.