Madge A. Mayo

Madge Alice Christiansen was born on July 6, 1929 on the family farm near Anthony, Kansas to parents, Lloyd and Edna Elbe Christiansen.  She attended Berlin elementary school and graduated from Bluff City High School as salutatorian with the Class of 1946.

Madge was united in marriage with Delos W. Mayo on December 4, 1947.  Three daughters were born to this union: Delma Jean, Doris Jo, Janice Ann.  

One of her favorite sayings was, “Busy people are happy people!” and Madge lived her life by this.  She exemplified the term hard work.  Her passion was farming, but she also spent endless hours working in her yard.  With the help of her grandchildren, she moved many stones to build fishponds and planted beautiful gardens of flowers.  

The most beautiful thing she planted was the love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Madge was a staunch supporter for them at ball games, an ever-present babysitter, potty trainer, book reader, prayer teacher, and supporter of them all.  She was also dedicated to her church.

On October 13, 2025, Madge passed away at Patterson Health Center at the age of 96.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brother, Morris Christiansen; sisters: Flossie Brotton, Christine Hobbs, and Donelda Cochran; sons-in-law, Rodney Gerberding and Tom Creel; grandson-in-law, David Gannaway; and great-granddaughter, Angel Hendrick.

Madge will be deeply missed by her daughters and son-in-law, Delma Gerberding, Doris Jo Creel, and Janice and Dean Bruey; grandchildren:  Wendy Gannaway, Ty Gerberding (Kristin), Todd Gerberding (Deirdre), Shannon Garten (John), Jarod Bruey (Sarah), Shelby Tencleve (Jed), Callie Effland (Kelly), and Hayley Thompson (Garett); great-grandchildren: Tanner, Kenzie, and Kaitlyn Gannaway, Zach (Dakotah) and Hayley Gerberding, Kira and Kylie Gerberding, Kyler, Kassidy, and Brayson Bruey, Alexis and Amber Carroll, Lucas, Jefferson, Rachel, and Laura Garten, Tristan, Keaton, and Brooks Tencleve, Ensley and Pierce Effland, and Parker and Baker Thompson; great-great-grandchildren, Emerson Bruey and Hazel and Drew Gerberding; and a host of other relatives and many friends.  

Funeral service was held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony with Reverend Karen Miller officiating.  Burial followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bluff City.

Memorials in memory of Madge may be made payable to the Bluff City United Methodist Church or to Pleasant Hill Cemetery and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.