Ella Mae (Provost) Christian

She was born on February 4, 1921, in Whitman, Massachusetts, to Oscar Alexander Provost and Alice Lena Gage later moving to Brockton, Massachusetts. She was a graduate of Brockton High School and Williams School of Business in Boston after which she was employed with Wilbert Burial Vaults as a secretary.

She enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in March 1943 and served until January 1, 1946 in the Military personnel Office, being stationed at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts, where they prepared troops to be shipped overseas from the Boston Port of Embarkation.

On April 20, 1946, she married, Russell Cyrus Christian, of Munising, Michigan, in Marquette, at the home of William and Zada Schneider, brother-in-law and sister of Russell. She and Russell moved to Ironwood, Michigan for a short period of time when Russell was employed as a Veterans Administration Training Officer, then back to Marquette where she worked for the United States Post Office for seven years before being employed at Northern Michigan University as the Book Store Manager for seven years. She then was employed as the Office Manager for the Marquette Volkswagen dealership for five years before starting at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base where she was employed for seventeen years in Supply and the Accounting and Finance Offices, retiring on December 31, 1983.

During her working years she was an active member of Zonta, World Service Guild and the Business Women’s Club, serving in various offices with the organizations.

After retirement, she and Russell enjoyed 21 years together traveling all around the United States, Canada and Mexico, for many years, with Lane Dawson Tours and the Holiday Travel of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. These travels resulted in many long time friendships. She and her husband were also well known for walking all over Marquette and Presque Isle, joking about walking “10,000 miles”.

Preceding her in death besides her parents was a sister, Lena Annie Provost and her husband, Russell on June 29, 2004.

Ella is survived by a nephew, James Schneider of Marquette, Michigan as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews.

In accordance with Ella’s wishes, there will be no visitation or services.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.

Ella wished to extend a special thank you to Dr. David Shahbazi for his professionalism and friendship during a very trying time in her life.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswanson hansen.com.