Harriet Christianson

Harriet Christianson, age 99 of Hudson, former owner of the Hudson Flower Shop, died November 9, 2017 at her residence (Wintergreen Apartments). Harriet was born June 12, 1918, in Park Rapids Minnesota, the second of four daughters to Clyde and Imogene (Miller) Campbell. Most of her young life was spent in River Falls where she graduated from high school in the class of 1935. After obtaining a bachelor of science degree from the River Falls Teachers College (now the University of Wisconsin – River Falls) in 1939, she got a job teaching english and music at the high school in Lancaster, Wisconsin. On June 21, 1940, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ Church in River Falls, she was married to John W. Christianson. They moved to Baldwin, Wisconsin where her husband was a teacher in high school. When World War II broke out and her husband enlisted in the United States Navy, Harriet resumed her teaching career for eight years at the Baldwin High School. During this time, she also became one of the original founders of the Baldwin Public Library.

In 1951, her husband, who already owned the Baldwin Greenhouse, bought the Hudson Flower Shop. Harriet quit teaching to learn the “flower business”. From the beginning, she felt a great affection for Hudson because the people were so patient while she learned to be a florist. She owned and operated the flower shop for 27 years, selling it in 1978. After a short retirement, she worked with her husband at the Baldwin Greenhouse, finally retiring for good in 1988.

Harriet was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church in River Falls and was the organist there for many years, beginning when she was still in high school. She served as a member of the board of directors of the Hudson Star Observer for several years and was a member of the Hudson Heritage Quilters Club.

Surviving Harriet are her children, Kay (Ronald) Debban of Glenwood City, Lee (Nancy) Christianson of Baldwin; grandsons, Kurt (Samira) Debban, and Adam (Mallory) Christianson. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, John; and three sisters.

Memorial service for Harriet Christianson will be 11 AM Wednesday, November 15 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, with lunch to follow. Pastors Chris Myers and Don Stannard will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at O’Connells. Burial with her husband will be in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorials are preferred to the Salvation Army, St. Croix Animal Friends, Hudson Library or the First Congregational Church of River Falls. Funeral services entrusted to the Countryside Crematory of Baldwin and O’Connell Family Funeral Homes.