Dawn Elizabeth Christensen went home to meet her LORD on Sunday, July 31, 2022. She passed peacefully during the church hour with her children by her side and the hymn, "It Is Well" playing in the background. She lived out her strong faith and was beloved by everyone who met her. She loved life and fought valiantly to be an active part of the lives of her friends and family until the very end. She had a beautiful and ready smile. No matter the challenge, she remained steadfast and positive. She loved well and unconditionally and was deeply loved.

Dawn Christensen was the oldest of three daughters, including Abigail and Hope, born to Michael and Julia Biro. She was born into a Hungarian immigrant family in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Her grandfather and father were both pastors and Sunday mornings were spent listening to sermons in both English and Hungarian. This foundation of faith served her well throughout her entire life and grew stronger with every challenge that she faced. She studied education at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, graduating in 1961. While at Ottawa, she met Lee Christensen on a blind date when he was visiting his siblings who also attended Ottawa. They fell in love and after he returned from a year with the Army in Korea, Dawn quit her teaching job in Denver to follow him to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. They married on November 30th, 1963 and were married one month shy of 56 years when Lee passed away in October of 2019. Their marriage was founded on Christian faith with God as the glue that held them together. If asked what the most important element to their successful marriage was, both would simply say, "putting God in the center of our three-way union." Including God in the decisions and details, small and large, of their lives was as natural as breathing for Lee and Dawn. Lee's career pursuits took them to Ames Iowa, East Lansing, Michigan, Broomall, Pennsylvania, Athens, Georgia, Montclair, Virginia and finally Columbia, South Carolina. Dawn taught elementary school and was awarded a Master's degree in Reading Education from The University of Georgia.

Dawn Christensen was a woman of beauty, grace and unshakable faith. She devoted time every day to the study of God's word and was a true prayer warrior. She never doubted God's faithfulness, no matter the situation. She lived out her faith and shared her time, talent and love for others generously. Dawn battled cancer throughout her adult life, but was unwilling to let it keep her down. She kept her beautiful smile and graceful spirit even on the most difficult days. Her focus was on digging into her faith and getting better so that she could be part of important family events. She had a servant's heart and brought joy to her family and friends while creating memories that will last for their lifetimes. Dawn enjoyed extensive travel with Lee, her sisters and her children and grandchildren. She and Lee created a tradition of annual beach trips to Hilton Head Island where family and friends gathered, laughed, played , prayed and loved.

Dawn was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend who loved unconditionally. She invested deeply in the lives of her family and extended family. She fiercely loved her children, Lori and Bryan, daughter-in law Connie and grandchildren William, Caroline and Anna. As Lee's partner and collaborator, she encouraged the younger generations to stay true to their Christian heritage and faith and showed her love through generously giving her time, talent, and treasure. Her greatest joy in life came from spending quality time with the people she loved and being part of their lives. She was involved and eager to know the details and invested deeply and generously in cultivating these core relationships.

Dawn was a quiet fighter as she faced countless physical challenges, including cancer. She exhibited tremendous strength and grace through the indignities that come with disease. Her positive outlook and hope were inspiring to all who encountered her. She maintained her desire to reach out to others in meaningful ways and her positive outlook and great love drew people to her. She was determined and stubborn and held onto her faith and hope for the future. When she entered the LORD's presence in Heaven she surely heard the beautiful words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant.

"Isaiah 40: 28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."

The service for Dawn Christensen will be held at 3:30 pm, Saturday, August 6th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home and at the residence from 6 until 8:00 pm Saturday. The burial will be held at 9:00 am Monday, August 8th at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC.

Memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or to Oliver Gospel Mission, PO Box 7697, Columbia, SC 29202.