Gliceria Germano Christenson

Gliceria Germano Christenson, 89, of Rochester, Minnesota died on Monday, February 16, 2026 at Methodist Eisenberg Palleative Care. She was born on December 25, 1936 in Bato, Leyte, Philippines. Gliceria was the fifth of eight children and the fifth of six daughters born to Inocencio and Consorcia Germano.
Her parents lovingly nicknamed Gliceria, "Shirley", after the American child movie star, Shirley Temple. After the Japanese Army occupied her village during WWII, Shirley's father courageously moved the entire family to live in the mountains, because a Japanese soldier developed a romantic interest in one of Shirley's older sisters. The family returned to their ancestral home, after the Philippines were liberated by Gen. Douglas MacArthur: "I shall return". Shirley became proficient in Visayan, English, Tagalog and Spanish like most Philippine grammar school students.
Shirley's ambition was to become a Catholic Nun in Lourdes, France. Gliceria graduated from nursing school in the Philippines. Then Shirley went to Rochester Minnesota's Saint Mary's Hospital in 1964, through an exchange nurse program; during America's nursing shortage from the Vietnam conflict. Gliceria attended Catholic mass every morning, and cherished working with the Franciscan Nuns, taking care of patients at Saint Mary's Hospital.
In 1966, Shirley enrolled in a Dale Carnegie course based on the principles of "How to Win Friends and Influence People". There she met Richard M. Christenson, an Army Armor Chief Warrant Officer (CWO2) and one of Minnesota's first Honda motorcycle franchise owners. Their friendship blossomed into love, and they were married on June 1, 1968 at St. John's Catholic Church. In February 1970, they welcomed their only child, Joseph. Shirley became a proud United States citizen in July 1971, embracing her adopted country while always honoring her Filipino roots.
Shirley and Dick were extremely appreciative of the generous support from their Rochester friends, helping to raise their only child in middle America. Shirley loved to prepare a large Christmas meal and invite everyone for her birthday/Christmas, to show appreciation.
After her years as a Registered Nurse (R.N.) at Saint Mary's Hospital, Gliceria continued as an R.N. at Woodside Convalescent Center for ten years-including the night of Rochester's historic 1979 flood, where coworkers and patients drowned. Later serving for a decade at other hospitals in Chicago, IL and Minnesota before retiring.
Shirley loved to watch "The Sound of Music", "The Lawrence Welk Show", "The Wheel of Fortune", "Little House on the Prairie", "The Eternal Word Television Network" (EWTN) to watch mass and pray her rosary with TV.
Gliceria is survived by her son, Joseph Christenson; grandson, Joseph "Christian" Germano; and sister, Domeniciana Germano.
Gliceria is preceded in death by husband, Richard Christenson, father, Inocencio; mother, Consorcia; sisters, Elizabeth Dalagan, Filomena Espiritu, Lily Graham, Carmen Germano, brothers, Felipe Germano and Vicente Germano.
Shirley's greatest joy was family. She shared a close and deeply loving relationship with her many nieces and nephews across the Philippines, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and beyond. Though miles often separated them, her affection knew no distance. She followed their lives with pride, prayed for them faithfully, and welcomed every opportunity to gather, laugh, and celebrate together.
Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Resurrection Catholic Church at 1600 11th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904 with visitation from 11:30am to 12:00pm followed with Mass at 12:00pm.
The burial will be held privately at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, next to her husband's plot.