Miriam McKeefery Uphouse Christensen
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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She was born Sept. 10, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pa., to William James and Anna Reichelt Mckeefery. On Nov. 4, 1939, she married Dr. Norman Henry Uphouse. They were married for 45 years when he passed away on Feb. 1, 1985. She then remarried on Nov. 27, 2004, to David Christensen, who passed away in March 2014.
She received her certificate from Banks Business College in Philadelphia in 1936; graduated in 1938 from the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania; in 1952 became an LPN from Kirkman School in Chattanooga, Tenn.; received her degree from Grace College in Winona Lake in 1963; and her master’s from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne in 1972.
She worked as an assistant in the dean’s office of Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., from 1945 to 1952. From 1952 to 1960 she worked as an LPN in a physician’s office and at a hospital. She became the associate dean of students at Grace College and Seminary in 1964 and remained in that position until 1985 when she retired.
Her memberships included National Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors; Indiana Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors; Association of Christians in Student Development; American Red Cross; Altrusa Club of Warsaw; AAUW of Warsaw; and the Winsome Women Retreat Staff in 1984.
She had received many honors throughout her life. In 1977 she was Indiana Merit Mother of the year; 1981 Grace College Alumna of the Year; was in Who’s Who of American Women in 1983-1984; in 1985 received the Citation of Distinction – NAWDAC; and was Grace College Associate Dean of Students Emeritus. She committed her life to serving the Lord and was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, and from 1986 to 1996 she worked with the support missionary with Grace Brethren International Missions in Brazil and Africa.
She will be lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Deborah Ann (and spouse David) Wingard, Ormond Beach, Fla.; Johanna Faith (and spouse Alvin) Siebert, Signal Hall, Calif.; and Abigail Elizabeth Graham, Fort Wayne; four grandchildren: Sarah, Charity, Seth and Cotter; and three step-grandchildren, Shaun, Brooke and Erika. She was also preceded in death by a brother and her son-in-law, Dr. Dennis Graham, who died Sept. 11, 2014.
A private graveside service will be Thursday at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with Pastor Bruce Barlow and Chaplain Bryan Benjamin officiating. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
No visitation is planned,
Arrangements are entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw.
*****
Memorial donations may be directed to Grace College & Seminary – Norman Uphouse Scholarship Fund, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590 and would be appreciated by her family.
Condolences via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
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She was born Sept. 10, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pa., to William James and Anna Reichelt Mckeefery. On Nov. 4, 1939, she married Dr. Norman Henry Uphouse. They were married for 45 years when he passed away on Feb. 1, 1985. She then remarried on Nov. 27, 2004, to David Christensen, who passed away in March 2014.
She received her certificate from Banks Business College in Philadelphia in 1936; graduated in 1938 from the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania; in 1952 became an LPN from Kirkman School in Chattanooga, Tenn.; received her degree from Grace College in Winona Lake in 1963; and her master’s from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne in 1972.
She worked as an assistant in the dean’s office of Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., from 1945 to 1952. From 1952 to 1960 she worked as an LPN in a physician’s office and at a hospital. She became the associate dean of students at Grace College and Seminary in 1964 and remained in that position until 1985 when she retired.
Her memberships included National Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors; Indiana Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors; Association of Christians in Student Development; American Red Cross; Altrusa Club of Warsaw; AAUW of Warsaw; and the Winsome Women Retreat Staff in 1984.
She had received many honors throughout her life. In 1977 she was Indiana Merit Mother of the year; 1981 Grace College Alumna of the Year; was in Who’s Who of American Women in 1983-1984; in 1985 received the Citation of Distinction – NAWDAC; and was Grace College Associate Dean of Students Emeritus. She committed her life to serving the Lord and was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, and from 1986 to 1996 she worked with the support missionary with Grace Brethren International Missions in Brazil and Africa.
She will be lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Deborah Ann (and spouse David) Wingard, Ormond Beach, Fla.; Johanna Faith (and spouse Alvin) Siebert, Signal Hall, Calif.; and Abigail Elizabeth Graham, Fort Wayne; four grandchildren: Sarah, Charity, Seth and Cotter; and three step-grandchildren, Shaun, Brooke and Erika. She was also preceded in death by a brother and her son-in-law, Dr. Dennis Graham, who died Sept. 11, 2014.
A private graveside service will be Thursday at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with Pastor Bruce Barlow and Chaplain Bryan Benjamin officiating. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
No visitation is planned,
Arrangements are entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw.
*****
Memorial donations may be directed to Grace College & Seminary – Norman Uphouse Scholarship Fund, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590 and would be appreciated by her family.
Condolences via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
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