Selma Oline "Lena" Larson was born 29 Aug 1868 at Kenyon, MN to Iver Larson (11 Apr 1833-11 Nov 1920) and his wife, Sidsel (Sessel) Dortea Svensdatter Larson (28 Jul 1829-12 Apr 1918).

Lena was the fourth of their six children. Two of her brothers died on the trip from Norway to America as conditions were meager and grim about 1867. Her remaining siblings were: Lewis/Lauris 21 May 1862-28 Jul 1935 (Mathea Danielsdatter Kjolberg 2 Oct 1861-7 Feb 1928), Anna Christine "Anne" 26 Feb 1871-22 Feb 1959 (Hans Peter O. Lee 22 Apr 1863-7 Dec 1935) and Maria Elise "Mary" 5 Oct 1872-12 Apr 1958 (Brynild O. Lee 6 Dec 1869-27 Jun 1963).

Lena lived in the Kenyon area for a few years, then after some moving around they moved north to the Perley, MN area. She married John E. Christenson 26 Mar 1891 at Moorhead, MN.

After their marriage John and Lena moved to a farm in Viding Township of Clay County near Perley, MN where they farmed. They later moved to a farm in Lee Township and began to farm there.

They became the parents of five children of whom two unnamed sons died as infants. The remaining three were: Ella Cecilia 16/18 July 1892-20/11 Nov 1992 (Pastor Harold Martinus Bueide 31 Jan 1874-9 Feb 1971), Selmer Johan 18 Jan 1902-3 Aug 1902 and Arthur Melvin 22 Jul 1905-11 Dec 1977 (Mabel Alice Granfor 2 Jun 1910-5 Dec 1999).

John Christenson passed away at his home near Perley, MN 13 Dec 1944. He was 84 years of age at the time of his passing. Funeral services were held 18 Dec 1944 at the Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley.

Lena passed away 25 Aug 1949 at the home of her daughter, Ella Bueide, in Willmar, MN. She was 80 years old at the time of her death. Funeral services for her were held 27 Aug 1949 at the Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley, MN. Pastor Jacob Lien officiated at the service. Pallbearers were Clarence Hovland, Martin Ellingson, James Lystrom and Robert, Clifford and Kenneth Kroshus.