Alys Christianson
December 25, 1928 - January 11, 2018
Alys Christianson Died peacefully in the evening of January 11th after suffering a stroke.
Born on December 25, 1928 to Albert and Clara Anderson Christianson, in a wonderful farming community of Wilmot, South Dakota. After graduating from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, and teaching school for two years in Iowa, Alys moved to New York City to begin her career in finance – Alys spent over 40 yrs working in banking and finally retiring from the brokerage industry in 1996.
After several years in New York, Alys headed back West to reacquaint herself with her all-important family. Living a few years in Portland, Oregon to be near her sister, in 1965 moved once more- to the exciting City of San Francisco where Alys made a wonderful community for herself -
After having grown up Lutheran, Alys made the shift to the Presbyterian Church – she joined Calvary Presbyterian Church where gave much of her time and leadership skills. She served as a Deacon; Chair of Woman’s Career Forum; after retirement she volunteered weekly using the skills she had mastered in her world of finance. Many years of service was also given to the CPMC Victorian House Thrift shop; she had great joy volunteering with Old First Church’s tutorial program; with the SF Symphony and SF Opera.
Alys was a wonderful traveler - with family and friends she traveled all over Europe – Scandinavia – Turkey – Egypt – two trips to Israel – China --- on and on. But nothing made her happier than being home in SF and going to a Giants baseball game – if she couldn’t get to the game – she was home watching!
Her life was made full with the joy of her family – hiking, playing table games, hanging out at a lake, or showing them her adopted City SF. For Alys there was no greater joy than participating in the Calvary Senior Adult Program on Tuesdays and the strength of community she felt when she moved to SF Sequoias Senior Housing – in both these organizations she again found strong and loving communities.
Alys was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Gerald and Lloyd and her sister Doris Foss, brother in law Clayton Foss, nephew, Eric. She is survived by sister in law Doris Christianson, nieces and nephews, Leslie Christianson (Judy); Joan Christianson Hawthorne (Steven); Ellen Christianson Hefner (Kurt); Amy Christianson; Barbara Foss Williams; Robert Foss (Margaret) and Maren Foss Graham; Judith Foss Wright; and several great nieces and nephews.
Services for Alys will be held at 1:30 PM Tuesday, February 6, at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore at Jackson in San Francisco. Burial will be in Wilmot, South Dakota. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: The Calvary Church Deacons Benevolence Fund or the charity of your choice.