Debra Rae Arnio Christensen, 50, Whitewood, died Friday September 7, 2007, at her home in Whitewood.

Mrs. C. was born September 22, 1956 at Deadwood, SD, to Arnold and Hazel Arnio. Debra grew up in the Lead – Deadwood area where she graduated from Lead High School and Black Hills State with a degree in education.

On July 4, 1974, she married Jim Christensen and they were blessed with the birth of their son Clint, on September 17, 1991.

Mrs. C taught school for 24 years, most of that time at the Whitewood Elementary.

She is loved and will be missed by her husband Jim Christensen, and son Clint, Whitewood; sisters Dolly Rizzi, Spearfish, DeDe and her husband Warner Ghere, Rapid City, Phyllis and her husband John Johnson, Roubaix, Kay and her husband Bob Zuhr, Deadwood, Chris and her husband Bill Burleson, Deadwood, Cindy and her husband Boyce Gillies, Whitewood; brothers, Arnie and his wife Brigitte Arnio, Yuma, AZ, David and his wife Kay Arnio, Spearfish, Bob and his wife Janice Arnio, Rapid City, Dan and his wife Linda Arnio, Rapid City; also 29 nephews and nieces, 46 great nephews and nieces and one great great nephew; also all children she loved and taught for 24 years.

Memorial services will be Tuesday evening, September 11, 2007 at the Immanual Lutheran Church in Whitewood with Pastor David Baer officiating.

An education memorial has been established for her son.