Frances Christiansen

Obituary Frances Agnes Christiansen, age 99, passed away peacefully on 12/5/2017 in Tacoma. She was born on 8/4/1918 in Glasgow, Montana to her parents Michael and Caroline Hlad and graduated early from Glasgow High. She graduated from the school of Cosmetology in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. She had her own beauty shop at 17 in Dillon, Montana and later met George there. They were married in 1940 and soon moved to Bremerton then Fircrest, Wa. She operated a beauty shop there for many years. Like so many, they liked the Puget Sound region, put down their roots and raised two sons here. Skiing became a favored family pastime; in the mountains when there was snow and out on the water whenever possible. After owning her own hair salon for many years, she closed her shop in 1966 to be free to travel with her husband whenever his work took him out of state. In fact, they enjoyed traveling together so much they went on to see most of the US, parts of Europe, some of Mexico and cruised the Bahamas and Hawaiian Islands. Other interests included golfing and dancing, both ballroom and square (where she sewed all of her own full and frilly skirts!) They enjoyed 50 years of marriage and were blessed with two grandchildren who grew up near enough to love and spoil. They also shared a close interest in their church and included bible study in their life together. Her husband has since passed away, but she remained very active: tending her garden, walking, exercising, playing bridge, water painting (very good!), and finally curling up with a good book at the end of the day. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, George; her son George Thomas; her siblings Irene, Anne, and Lawrence. She is survived by son, Larry (Diane) Christiansen, granddaughters: Nicole (Tim) and Elise Christiansen. Great grandchildren: Oliver, Adelina, and Theodore, sister: Marguerite, nieces and nephews: Kathie Yerion (Rosemary), Ed (Meg) Griswold, John (Lindsay) Griswold, and the Hlad family of Montana: Mike, Karen, Sharon, Tony and their mother Dorothy (Dave) Hlad-Larson. Funeral service will be held on, Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 1:00pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 7410 South 12th St, Tacoma, WA. Memorial donations may be made to St, Andrews or Franciscan Hospice. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.