Our beloved Mom, Grandmother and Great Grandmother got her greatest Christmas wish on December 23, 2024 at the age of 88. She was received into the arms of Jesus and is walking the streets of Gold with her wonderful husband of 70 years who preceded her just six months before.
Darlene Mae Christiansen was born May 14, 1936 to Edith and Ralph Christiansen in Cheyenne, Wyoming, joining siblings Lloyd, Doris and Ruby Christiansen. There were many years between siblings and as her brother and sisters grew up and out of the house, Darlene was raised alone by her mother in Cheyenne, and later spent her high school years in Brule, Nebraska. She also spoke fondly of the time spent in Rangely, Colorado with her brother Lloyd and his wife Doris, and her sister Doris and her husband Larry Ward.
After attending High school in Brule, Nebraska, she was attending church with a friend in Ogalala, where she met Dale, who followed her to College at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha. They were married in August of 1954 and their 70-year adventure together began. They lived in Omaha until their son Duane arrived in 1958, then they went home to the ranch to work alongside Dale’s father. Two years later their daughter Dalene joined the family before their adventure then led them to church planting and ranching in Colorado where they settled at Trails End Ranch near Hillside, Colorado. While there, they welcomed another son, Darrell in 1963. A few years later, Darlene’s sister and brother-in-law invited them to join them in Montana at Yellowstone Boys Ranch. They were looking for an ag manager and thought Dale would be a perfect fit. Off to Montana they went with their three children. In 1967, they moved a little father west to Trapper Creek Ranch outside of Melrose and raised their family there. Darlene always welcomed family and friends to the dinner table and treated all our friends and cousins like they were her own. Darlene worked tirelessly making a home full of love with home grown and home baked items, straining and separating the cow’s milk, making butter from the cream to go with the homemade bread and cinnamon rolls, while always teaching Sunday school, bible clubs and women’s ministries and enjoying community clubs and events. When her children grew and were attending high school in Dillon, she took on some parttime jobs to allow her to be in town for afterschool activities and shuttling kids and friends home. Later, Dale and Darlene made Dillon their home and began welcoming grandchildren to the family. Her life was full of being Mom, Grandma, Sunday School Teacher and Young Adult mentor. Dale’s mother Floy Beauchamp came to live with them just prior to them moving to Butte, in 1995, where Dale operated his own business hauling grain around the state. While in Butte, Dale and Darlene continued to be very involved in their church and entertaining friends and family. Baking cookies, reading books, and having tea parties or picnics with her grandchildren, became her favorite pastime and continued on with her great grandchildren. After returning to Dillon just a few years ago, she was able to welcome two more great grandchildren and enjoyed being entertained by all the great grandkids instead of being the entertainer. Little did she know, she was still the entertainment! Darlene continued to touch lives in her last few months when she moved to Assisted Living, making new friends with residents and caregivers alike, always looking out for everyone else. Darlene was loved for her humor, her love and her acceptance of everyone. Her presence is already missed greatly.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents and siblings and recently, her beloved husband Dale. She is survived by her sons Duane (Berta) Beauchamp, Darrell (Shareece) Beauchamp, and daughter Dalene (Lee) Hahnkamp, seven grandchildren Jessica Taylor, Mandy Hahnkamp, Darcy (Matt) Schuetz, Erica (Chris) Buck, Cassie (Rich) Taylor, Samantha (JR) Davis, and Charlee (Matt) Reed, and 17 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the Dillon Vineyard Church, 310 E. Center St., Dillon, MT with a reception to follow. Arrangements and obituary can be found on Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services website. Memorials can be made to Westland Bible Mission, 250 Camp Trail, Dillon, MT. Condolences can be sent to PO Box 1101, Dillon, MT 59725.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Darlene.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Darlene and her family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
3:00 P.M.
Sunday January 5, 2025
Dillon Vineyard Church
320 E. Center St.
Dillon, Montana
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
3:00 P.M.
Sunday January 5, 2025
Dillon Vineyard Church
320 E. Center St.
Dillon, Montana
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Michael and Wanda Riley says
We have been very blessed to have know Darlene and Dale and of course the girls. We had just moved to Montana from Ohio and had been working at the Sportsman motel. When circumstances came about we needed a place to stay until we found a place. We had been going to the Baptist church where we met the Beauchamp family. They were so kind to open up their home to us for the time we needed. Such a beautiful kindness we shall always cherish! They were always so loving and caring. Would do anything they could through their Christian love for anyone in need. PS love you girls ! Sure enjoyed watching you after school for your mom and making Indian Fry bread! Loved every minute of it! The Rileys, Michael, Wanda, Mike, Pat, Erin and Liz