Tam M. Christiansen

Tillie Ardis Martin Christiansen, “Tam” as we know her, passed away April 29, 2018 at the age of 95 in Enumclaw, Washington. She was born November 24, 1922 to Wesley Sanford Martin and Mathilda ‘Tillie’ Charlotte Holmberg in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. She was named after her mother, but because both mother and daughter were named the same sometimes they both answered when called Tillie. The younger Tillie changed her name to Tam, her initials. The Wesley Martin family had 18 family members and lived on a farm in rural Todd County, Minnesota. Tam had 5 brothers and 10 sisters.

On June 13, 1946 Tam married Frank L. Dutcher in Lincoln, Nebraska. They had two sons Stephen and Lyle. In 1989 she married Andrew Christiansen in Bowbells, North Dakota and lived there until Andy’s death. During her life she worked at various places in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Colorado as a secretary, bookkeeper, and accountant.

Her hobbies included bird watching, traveling, gardening, and sewing. She loved the Lord and walked in his path. She was a Seventh-day Adventist and served in the church where ever she lived.

Tam is survived by two sisters, Enid Beck of Long Prairie, Minnesota and Gwendolyn Norby of Maple Grove, Minnesota; two sons and their wives, Stephen and Roberta Dutcher of Enumclaw, Washington and Lyle and Sharon Dutcher of Augusta, Kansas; and 6 grandchildren: Ondrea Dutcher Peppel (Chris) of Douglas, Kansas; Shawn Dutcher of Enterprise, Alabama; Angie Bagby Mason (Chris) of Charleston, South Carolina, Jennifer Dutcher James (Jason) of College Place, Washington; Stephanie Dutcher Miles (Robert) of Enumclaw, Washington; Bradley Dutcher of Enumclaw, Washington; 6 step grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 5 brothers and 8 sisters; husband Frank; husband Andrew; and granddaughter Leisa.

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