Myra L. Christiansen went to be with the Lord on Dec. 16, 2009 at the age of 83. She was born Dec. 3, 1926 in Bennington, Neb., to Charles W. and Clara M. (Witte) Hadan.

Myra was raised in Bennington, where she attended school in a single building with six classrooms from elementary through high school. Following graduation, she attended the University of Nebraska for two years. She left school and married her childhood sweetheart, Charles C. “Chuck” Christiansen.

Their first home together was Pensacola, Fla., while Chuck finished his flight training. Later he was assigned to Kodiak, Alaska, and Myra returned to Nebraska. Next Myra and Chuck moved to Whidbey Island — a much different place in 1948.

Chuck was released from active duty at the end of World War II and they returned to Nebraska. With the start of the Korean War, he rejoined the Navy and the Christiansen family began following his deployments. They were sent to San Diego, Calif., Hutchinson, Kan., Millington, Tenn., Olathe, Kan., Adak, Alaska, and San Jose and Monterey, Calif.

Chuck retired in 1965 from the Navy and moved the family to East Brunswick, N.J. After Chuck retired again, Myra and Chuck bought a fifth wheel and made their way across the country auditioning retirement spots. They chose Whidbey Island — not a big surprise to the family, building their home at Davis Landing.

Myra was a lifetime member of the Lutheran church and a member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church for the past 27 years. She was a member of the Rebecca Circle, the Oak Harbor Yacht Club, Emblem Club, the Whidbey Golf and Country Club, the Retired Officers Bridge Club and several other bridge groups. Travel to anywhere new in the world was one of her passions.

Myra is survived by four children and their spouses: Claire Christiansen and Ken Hoover of Dayton, Ore., Connie and Greg Paris of Newberg, Ore., Jessie Christiansen of Sequim, and John and Marguerite Wilbur of Millbrae, Calif.; her sister, Bernette Hamel or Freeland; three grandchildren, David (Stephanie) Paris, Deidre (Stephan) Dillon and Liran Schleckser; and three great-grandchildren, Morgaine and Audric Paris and Rose Dillon. She was preceded in death by her spouse Chuck and her sister, Arlene Pittenger.

Funeral services were held Dec. 21 at the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church with Pastor Karen Hansen and Pastor Jay Decker officiating. Burial will follow at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Wash., at a later date. Memorials may be made to Help House, Oak Harbor Lutheran Church or Habitat for Humanity. Arrangements entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.