Born in Torslev Parish, Oster Han Dist., Hjorring, Denmark
(Birth place information provided by J. Garbarino)

Death Certificate records Meta's parents as Poul/Paul Christian Thogersen and Mariane Jensdatter both born in Denmark. Her father died in Denmark. Her mother immigrated to the United States in 1889, where she then went by the last name of Jensen. Variation of the spelling of Meta's name include: Mette Christena (death certificate) Mette Kirstine (International Genealogical Index - most likely the Danish language version) Danish children took their father's first name as their last and various spellings often occured among family members. Records say Meta was born in Torslev, the closest town to her hometown area of Aalborg, Teglvaeker, Denmark.
She had a son Neils Christian Poulsen, born April 18, 1976, and who emigrated to the United States with her in 1880.


Obit from Harlan, IA newspaper - February 1943

MRS METTE CHRISTENSEN
Mrs. Mette Christena Christensen, 87, passed away at her home on Durant Street Sunday, Jan. 31, 1943. Mrs. Christensen, who made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Lyle Martin, had been confined to her home for a number of years due to failing health. Her eye sight also failed her resulting in almost complete blindness the last two years of her life.
Mrs. Christensen was born in Torslev, Denmark Dec. 19, 1855 and emigrated to this country in 1880 with her son, Niels Christian Poulsen, coming directly to Shelby county.
The following year she was married to Mr. Christensen They made their home on a farm in Monroe township until 1919 when the Christensen family moved to Harlan due to the failing health of Mr. Christensen, who passed away the following year. Since then Mrs. Christensen made her home in Harlan.
There were ten children. One (Anna) died in infancy and Niels (Chris) passed away in 1935. The Christensen family were members of the Jacksonville Lutheran Church.
While living in Harlan, Mrs. Christensen was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Ladies Aid.
Mrs. Christensen is survived by five sons: Peter of Harlan; Andrew of Hartington, Nebraska; Holm of Walnut;
Marinus of Colfax; and Otto of Walnut; by three daughters: Mrs. Hannah Lorentzen of Hartington, Nebraska; Mrs. Lena Doonan of Walnut; and Mrs. Edna Martin of Harlan; also by 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Anena Johnsen of Spencer, Iowa; numerous other relatives and a host of friends also survive.
The funeral sevice was conducted in the Immanuel Lutheran Church Wednesday afternoon. The pastor, the Rev. S.S. Kaldahl, was in charge of the service and preached the sermon. Burial was in the Jacksonville Cemetery.
(Added note: Bearers were: Lyle Martin, Pete Christensen, Andrew Christensen, Holm Christensen, Otto Christensen, Marinus Christensen)