Lyle Kevin Christensen

CHRISTENSEN

Posted By: Marthann (email)
Date: 1/10/2007 at 18:57:47

Christensen, Lyle Kevin "Critter"
February 20, 1964 - January 6, 2007
Denison Bulletin/Review
1/9/2007
(posted with permission)

Lyle Kevin "Critter" Christensen, son of Everette and Marjorie (Tibben) Christensen, was born February 20, 1964, in Audubon, Iowa. He lived with his family south of Botna and attended Manning schools, graduating with the Class of 1982. Critter was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in Audubon and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Audubon. Critter attended Des Moines Area Community College where he studied welding and then worked for Mark Elmquist Welding for a number of years. In 1987, he started farming on the home place south of Botna. While farming he also worked for Puck Enterprises for 15 years and Pegler Sysco for three years. On August 1, 1997, he moved to a farm west of Manilla.

On August 30, 1997, Critter was united in marriage with Denise Justice Ridgley. He embraced her children as his own and was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first grandchild.

Critter loved being outdoors with his beloved dog Jake (Bonehead) and was a hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed his farming and camping with his family. He was a loyal University of Nebraska fan.

In June of 2005, Critter was diagnosed with colon cancer. He looked towards the future and was not willing to give in to his cancer, always working on the farm as much as he was able.

He remained at home with the loving care of this wife Denise and died there on Saturday, January 6, 2007, at the age of 42 years, 10 months and 17 days. Preceding him in death are his parents.

Critter is survived by his wife Denise Christensen of Manilla; son Doug Ridgley and wife Sarah of Grand Island, Nebraska; daughter Stephanie Ridgley and special friend Justin Ahrenholtz of Manilla; sister Jan and husband Wayne Brown of Boise, Idaho; two brothers Lynn Christensen and wife Kristine of Adel and Lee Christensen and wife Tammy of Carlisle; mother and father-in-law Larry and Lillian Justice of Manilla; sister-in-law Christy and husband Kevin Lingle; two brothers-in-law Kenny Justice and James Justice; nieces nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa. Rev. Patrick Sparling officiated the service and interment at the Nishnabotna Cemetery in Manilla, Iowa. Fern Jensen served as organist for congregational hymns, "Just As I Am, Without One Plea", "The Lamb", "Amazing Grace" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Those serving as casketbearers were Jay Karsten, Dan Head, Tom Wegner, Mike Eischeid, Bob Saunders and Jeff Joens. Honorary casketbearers were Dean Genzen, Ben Puck, Jeremy Puck, James Justice, Kenny Justice, Tony Lile, Brad Christensen, Josh Brown, Chris Brown, Ken Willenborg, Clark Tibben, Denny Erb and Roy Schilling. The Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla was in charge of the arrangements.