LADONNE FAYE CHRISTIANS

LaDonne Faye (Mulder) Christians was born September 10, 1935, to parents John and Fanny Mulder in Rushmore, MN. She lived on the farm which housed a large loving family. Her father, John, was instrumental in starting the First Baptist Church in Adrain, MN and she accepted Jesus there and began to nourish souls. She attended Worthington High School where her best friend introduced her to her brother, a light-hearted man with a wicked sense of humor named Merle. After graduating from Worthington High School, LaDonne went on to Northwestern College in Minneapolis, MN for a year. And returned to Rushmore and the love of her life, Merle, and the rest is history! LaDonne and Merle were united in marriage on June 1, 1956. To this union three children were born: Kevin, Kimberly and Kendall. LaDonne and Merle first lived in Sioux City IA, where she worked in insurance until they began a family. In 1971, they took a grand leap of faith and purchased a farm north of Lake Wilson, MN. Together they spent their years farming until 2005 when Merle passed. LaDonne remained on the farm several more years until moving to a beautiful home in Lake Wilson, MN and then to the Medows Assisted Living in Worthington. It takes an industrious woman to be married to a farmer, and that she was. Always cooking, gardening, canning, cleaning, decorating and entertaining…which was her delight, she loved having family and friends over. There was always a cup of coffee and lunch for anyone who dropped in. Along with all these things and more, her heart was ever toward Jesus and her children, a mother’s love felt so strongly. Outside the farm life, LaDonne was very involved in Christian Women, which she was President of for many years and involved in her church where she taught Sunday School and was a deaconess. She was committed to helping others. In 1976, LaDonne began to work at Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council (SMOC) in Worthington, doing outreach in the surrounding counties. She retired after 25 years, Retirement did not slow LaDonne down as she continued living on the farm for a few years after Merle passed, then moving to Lake Wilson. She loved her flowers, hosting many neighborhood and Red Hatters parties, taking bus trips, and volunteering! She volunteered at the hospice house, Atlas foundation, and the hospital in Luverne, to name a few. She was instrumental in her church serving where needed and furnishing many meals and treats, and she loved helping with the children during Awana on Wednesday nights.

LaDonne passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026. She had reached the age of 90 when her strength gave out, and she went to meet her Savior.

LaDonne is survived by children Kevin (Kathy) Christians, Kimberly Christians and Kerndal (Bonnie) Christians; grandchildren, Laura (Mike) Kennen, Lisa (Tom) Marcellus, Travis (Elishia) Christians and Jessica (Gregg) Biegler; great grandchildren Gavin, Harrison, Isaac and Harper Kennen, Katia and Max Marcellus, and Bently, Cooper and Sophie Kooiman; brother Bernie (Lois) Mulder; sister Joyce Hovland; sistersin- law Jean Mulder, Betty Lou Mulder and Elaine Mulder; and cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

LaDonne is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merle; brothers and sisters and spouses Florence (Owen) Stangland, Ralph (Marion) Mulder, Harold (Mildred) Mulder, Elva (Lenord) Linn, Marion (Goerge) Harberts, Emery (Joan) Mulder, Richard Mulder, Merlyn Mulder, Fern (Gordon) Bronleewe, Kenneth Mulder, Gerald (Verna) Mulder, Beverly (John) Mulder, and John Mulder Jr.

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. “

Funeral Service was at Skandia Free Church, rural Balaton, MN on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Ryan Petersen officiating. The pallbearers were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Interment is at Sunset Rest Cemetery in Rushmore, MN.

Visitation was Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Totzke Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday.

To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.