Will Jacob Christen 1912 - 2009

THEUS, CHRISTEN, CHASE, DUFF

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 11/21/2009 at 13:58:29

Will J. Christen, 97, of Elgin died Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at Maple Crest Manor, Fayette, following a brief illness.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 5, at Illyria Community Church, rural Elgin. The Rev. Rick Johnson officiated. Burial followed in Illyria Cemetery, rural Elgin.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin was in charge of arrangements.

Will Jacob Christen was born July 22, 1912, in Marion Township, Iowa, to Jacob and Ursula Marie (Theus) Christen.

He attended Spring Valley Country School through the eighth grade and completed one winter short course at Iowa State University in Ames.

On Sept. 15, 1941, Will was united in marriage with Inez Lucille Chase at the Bethel Presbyterian parsonage in West Union. Four sons were born to this union.

The couple moved to a rented farm southeast of Elgin and then near St. Olaf in 1948. They later bought and moved to a farm south of Elgin and lived there until 1977, when they moved to Elgin. Will farmed his entire life.

He was an active member in the community. Will helped lay out the first contours in Illyria Township, Marion Township and Grand Meadow Township. He was also an active member of the Elgin Historical Society.

Will was a longtime member of Illyria Community Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Inez, on Aug. 18, 1999; two sisters, Elizabeth Christen and Lillian Duff; and two brothers, John and Elmer Christen.

Survivors include four sons, David (Dorothy) Christen of Wadena, Paul (Sharon) Christen of Kalona, Glen (JoAnn) Christen of Marshalltown, Louis (Cheryl) Christen of Elgin; four grandsons; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Fayette County Union - 10 November 2009

Fayette Obituaries maintained by Constance Diamond.
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