Louise H. Christiansen – age 95, of Winter Springs, Florida, formerly of Pocahontas, passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2022, in Winter Springs, Florida.

It was a cold wintry day on the Fonda, Iowa farm. On January 31, 1927, God provided Elger and Eivor Seagren with a little blonde-haired Svenska. Louise Hilma Seagren was the youngest of their children with Ernest being 4 and Bernard being 2. Being born into a family of boys on a farm in Iowa not only shaped her formative years but was planted in her soul.

Since her mother Eivor was crippled early in her adult life with rheumatoid arthritis Louise learned how to sew by mending her Dad's overalls at the age of 8. She also learned sewing by making her own doll clothes, grew into crocheting and more complex sewing items. Early on she became the "hands and feet" of her mother by learning to manage household, livestock and field responsibilities.

Since Bernard loved baseball, she had no choice but to also learn the game. First, she had to learn to "not throw and hit like a girl." Then she would lie on the floor alongside Bernard as they listened to the Chicago Cubs play on the radio and watched as he graphed and charted each play of the game. This knowledge of baseball eventually grew to favoring the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs as her teams-of-choice.

Louise graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1944. It was there where she caught the eye of a certain young man. A curly-haired, red-cheeked boy named LeRoy asked her to the Junior Senior Banquet and a spark was ignited. LeRoy had graduated in 1942, served in the Army Air Corp in WWII and faithfully wrote letters to his high school sweetheart while abroad. Since he was overseas and after her graduation Louise went to Des Moines to obtain training at the American Institute of Business (AIB). She then worked at Standard Oil Company where her accountant mindset enabled her to become proficient on the comptometer, the first key-driven mechanical calculator.

After LeRoy was discharged on December 17, 1945, the high school spark led to an engagement ring and then they married on June 16, 1946 in the original building of the Pomeroy Covenant Church. LeRoy was dressed in his wool suit and Louise was in her bridal dress that she designed and made. It also happened to be the hottest day of the year - 106 degrees!

They began farming near Laurens, Iowa and gave birth to Donna Lou, Ruth Elaine and Dennis Lee. But farming brought many challenges. Together, LeRoy and Louise, put their faith in God to provide a new way of living so they ventured west to be close to her brother Ernie in California in December, 1956. And God provided. They quickly found work, a home in Torrance, California and a home church at Inglewood Covenant Church.

While Louise took care of the home front for the family, once again God provided in an unexpected way. It was her sewing skills that were recognized by the kids' teachers which launched a professional seamstress business out of the home. After the kids moved out, a privately owned fabric store asked Louise to join their team. There she worked for over 16 years learning even more about a diversity of fabrics and providing guidance to customers on their own sewing projects. She loved it. During her years, she also made Donna and Ruth's wedding dresses, all of the bridesmaid dresses in addition to her own dress for each wedding! She also made many bridal dresses, gowns, blouses, slacks and even men's and women's jackets for family and customers. LeRoy proudly wore his tan ultra-suede blazer. During the years she was able to add to her collection of 73 thimbles, many of which were gifts from happy customers. Louise also designed and hand-stitched over 20 quilts, with one gifted   to each grandchild   on their wedding day. There was a lot of love and prayers woven into each stitch. The work of Louise's hands was also the work of her heart. She loved her family and each family is graced with her handiwork.

Louise and LeRoy were always involved in all phases of church work as their main interest was to serve the Lord. She taught Sunday School, served as a deaconess, was involved in the women's organizations and even part of a group called The Holy Tearers where they made hundreds of layettes and tore sheets to be made into bandages to be sent to Africa each year. Since LeRoy had been Chairman of the Rolling Hills Covenant Church she also hosted the executive board meetings in their home every month with a home-cooked meal.

The family roots in Iowa remained strong in LeRoy and Louise's life. Family was so important that they made over 50 trips to Iowa just to remain close. With the arrival of their 9 grandchildren and then 17 great grandchildren they broadened their travels to include Florida, Virginia and Michigan. Louise had a great recall of family events and dates so she also spent a lot of time logging the family genealogy for both the Seagren and Christiansen lines – she was the family historian.

In September, 2001 LeRoy and Louise decided to leave Rancho Palos Verdes, CA and return to their roots in Iowa. Again, their journey was contrary to most retirees who move south. In their hearts, Iowa was home. Again, God provided a home in Pocahontas and, of course, they returned to their home church Pomeroy Covenant. They were excited to be back with family and friends from the days of their youth.

LeRoy frequently referred to Louise as "his bride" – that high school spark became a flame for a lifetime until he passed in September, 2013. In June, 2018 Louise moved to Winter Springs, Florida to live with Donna and Jerry Lewis who tenderly cared for her in their home until she died on February 5, 2022. Again, God provided a wonderful church and seniors group known as SALT (Seniors Approaching Life Together) who actively loved and cared for Louise and the family.

Louise accepted the Lord as her Savior in a Sunday School Class at Pomeroy Covenant when she was 8 years old. When she sat under Rev. Carlson's confirmation class, she renewed her commitment. The verse that she claimed for her life was Proverbs 3:5 & 6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

Louise was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Paul, Ernest & Bernice Seagren, Bernard & Jan Seagren, Jean & Ann Christiansen, Lorin & Dorla Christiansen, Lois and Arlo Erickson, and Bernice Allen.

She is survived by her children Donna and Jerry Lewis of Winter Springs, Fla., Ruth Newman of Northville, MI and Dennis and Kitty Lou Christiansen of Manassas, VA.; by grand and great grandchildren Kim, Ken, Emily and Carson Mann; Rachel, Tim, Gunner and Anola Cheney; David, Stephanie, Scarlett and Asher Lewis; Carol, Josh, Owen and Micah Caines; Christina, Steve, Nicholas, Brandon and Justin Shollack; Heather, Mark and Ashlyn Grybel; Melissa Newman, James, Guthrie, Corrina and Otis Peterson; Alex Christiansen, Crystal and Emory Ramsey; Jenna and Hunter Reeve. She is also survived by sister-in-law Harriett den Hartog.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Louise's name to the Pomeroy Covenant Church Building Fund.