Dolores Christensen

Dolores Kreski Christensen, 94, passed away on Saturday Sept 19, 2020 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born Dolores Zakrzewski on June 24, 1926 at home in Iron River, MI. She was born to her Polish immigrant father, John Zakrzewski and Ann (Luba) Zakrzewski, her Polish American mother. When Dolores started school, the family name was changed to Kreski. During her high school years, the family moved to the homestead on Sunset Lake, where she resided for the rest of her life. She was the third generation to live on the Centennial Farm. She married Russell “Utty” Christensen on October 1, 1955 at the Assumption Church in Iron River. The couple celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary in 2012. Russell preceded her in death on May 17, 2013. Dolores sang in the Assumption Church choir for years and later became the secretary of the Saint Mary’s Club. The Club maintained the church until its final closing. She joined St Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian, MI and belonged to the Rosary Sodality. She also belonged to the VFW Auxiliary #2891, was secretary for her 1945 Iron River High School class reunion committee for years, and was the Audubon warden for the loons on Sunset Lake recording their nesting, hatching and activities. Dolores worked at the Iron County Fair in the Poultry Department and looked forward to fair time every year. She also worked at defeating the SEAFARER electromagnetic grid in the UP. Dolores worked at the Chicago Store and Dina Mia kitchens. She also volunteered at St Vincent DePaul for 22 years where she was “the book lady”. She loved all animals, especially horses, photography, oil painting, fishing and making her own fly fishing ties and anything about the outdoors. Her biggest love, however, was her family and raising her grandson Matthew. Dolores was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell; infant son John Russell; brothers, Edward, Isadore, Johnny, and Leonard; and sisters, Olga and Dianne. She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Ann Christensen (Don Homa), Mary (Julian) Hernandez, and Cathi Christensen (John Honzik); grandchildren, Matt, Sarah, Jeni, Luke, Gabe and Kalee; two great grandchildren, Jude and Cameron; faithful neighbor, Frank Harris; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 11:00am at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dolores Christensen, please visit our flower store.