Christensen, Clayton L. (1922-2018)

CHRISTENSEN, LOSH, RINK, JORGENSEN, PETERS, BEZDICEK, DENTON, LAURITSEN, ROLES, GRAHAM, VANG, FITTZ, LASEUR

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/18/2021 at 17:36:23

Clayton L. Christensen
July 7, 1922 - January 15, 2018

Clayton L. Christensen, age 95, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Monday, January 15, 2018, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

A son of Tenus and Meddie (Losh) Christensen, Clayton was born on July 7, 1922, in Moorhead, Iowa. Growing up in the Loess Hills with his parents and two sisters, he enjoyed the beauty of the seasons that surrounded him.

As a young boy. he attended school in Moorhead. At age sixteen, he graduated from Moorhead High School with a class of fifteen students. After working with his dad on the farm for a couple of years, he began his education at Wayne State University. His aspirations, however, were interrupted when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. While serving in the military as a 2nd Lieutenant during World War II, he was able to further his education by studying Meteorology at Carlton College, Communications at Yale University, and Mass Electronics at Harvard and MIT. Honorably discharged on March 1, 1946, he, then, continued his education at Iowa State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948.

On July 1, 1944, while in the military, Clayton married Helen Emma Rink at the Yale University Chapel in New Haven, Connecticut. Subsequently, they were blessed with three daughters: Barbara, Carole, and Diane, for whom they provided a loving and nurturing home.

Clayton worked for IPS (now, Mid-American Energy) for thirty-six years. He began as a district and field engineer in LeMars and Storm Lake, eventually assuming the position of Chief Engineer and Vice President of Engineering at the Sioux City Corporate Office, where he retired in 1984. He valued his career at IPS and the people with whom he worked. Indeed, many of his coworkers became lifelong friends. After he retired, he and Helen moved to Ames where he became an Adjunct Professor at ISU teaching electrical engineering courses and administering research projects and extension courses in power for several years.

In 1985, Clayton and Helen returned to Storm Lake. Helen passed away in early 1988. On February 11, 1989, Clayton married Helen’s widowed sister, Martha Vang Rink. Together, they joined their families which included seven daughters (all cousins). They enjoyed nearly twenty-seven years together before Martha's death in 2015.

An active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Storm Lake from its early beginnings, Clayton, always, valued his faith. Likewise, Rotary, also, had an important influence on his life. Honored in 2013 as a sixty-year member, he had served as president of the Storm Lake Rotary Club and District Governor in 1970 and 1971. In addition, he led groups of Rotarians to both Japan and South Africa. Recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, he, also, hosted three Rotary exchange students in Storm Lake and Sioux City.

Clayton enjoyed life to its fullest, filling everyday with purpose. He enjoyed many hobbies such as taking pictures and developing his own prints. He did matting and framing, stained glass, and wood working projects. He loved experiencing the out-of-doors, landscaping, and gardening. An accomplished skier, he had, also, traveled extensively in Australia, Japan, and Europe while making friends all over the world.

Clayton treasured his family. His example of a life well lived will always remain with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as with all those who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Barbara (Jim) Jorgensen, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Dr. Carole (Dan Peters) Christensen, of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Diane (Don) Bezdicek, of Hastings, Minnesota; his grandchildren: Jeff (Jordan) Jorgensen, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Chris (Stephanie) Jorgensen, of West Des Moines, Iowa, Jessica (Kevin) Denton, of Eagle, Colorado, Adam (fiancée, Lauren) Bezdicek, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ryan (Erin) Bezdicek, of Goodyear, Arizona, and Kelly (Forrest Hoyt) Christensen, of Missoula, Montana; his great grandchildren: Jack Bezdicek and Jenna, June, Chloe, and Vivian Jorgensen; and his sister, Norma Jean (Marv) Lauritsen, of Woodruff, Wisconsin. In addition, he is survived by Martha’s daughters: Linda (Keith) Roles, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Marion (Gary) Graham, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Norma Vang, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Brenda (Jim Fittz) Vang of Denver, Colorado; Martha’s grandchildren: Lisa (Brian) Tonn, Kristi (Joe) Blee, Heather (Rob) Weinmann, Troy (Melanie) Graham, Michael (Tessa) Graham, Christoffer (Sonja) Graham, Ryan (Katie) Bicek, Kevin (Laura) Fittz, Tyler (Tanya) Fittz; twenty great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; as well as extended family members and friends. Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, Tenus and Meddie Christensen; his sister, Frances LaSeur; his wives, Helen Christensen and Martha Christensen; and Martha’s oldest daughter, Judy Vang.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 19, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place Thursday, January 18, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Healthcare Foundation.

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes, Storm Lake, Iowa, 2018.

Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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