CHRISTENSEN, Buford L. 1930-2001

CHRISTENSEN, JENSEN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/14/2010 at 19:25:48

Buford L. Christensen

Buford "Chris" L. Christensen, 70, died Oct. 28, 2001 at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, where he had resided for just a few days.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001, at 2 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City, with Rev. Christian Gugel of Trinity Lutheran Church of Osage, officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Chris was born Nov. 25, 1930, the son of Marius and Karen "Carrie" (Jensen) Christensen at his home in Thornton, Iowa.

He enjoyed high school basketball and graduated from Sheffield High School. He joined the U.S. Army in January 1951, and was stationed at Camp McCoy, Sparta, Wisconsin.

On March 24, 1951, he was united in marriage to Violet Mae Shepherd at the home of the groom's parents in Sheffield, Iowa. The couple moved to Wisconsin until Chris was sent to Germany to serve in the Korean War. Once discharged, the couple made their home in Mason City, Iowa, where he and his wife had four children, Connie, Bruce, David and Pam.

Chris spent 13 years as a supervisor for State Brand Creamery and 25 years at Libbey Owens Ford Glass Co. as plant coordinator, safety director, and personnel director. He retired from LOF in November 1991.

Once retired, Chris and his wife moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where they lived until September 1999, when they returned to Mason City because of his failing health.

While in Arizona, he was cheerfully involved with his church on the board of trustees, stewardship board, usher, delegate to the ELS Convention, and helping anywhere he was needed.

Chris spent many of his best times with his children and grandchildren going to their activities. He looked forward to weekends with his family at the Mississippi River where they went boating and fishing.

He also enjoyed seasonal hunting with his sons and friends. He loved the day he became a great-grandfather to Kiley Jo.

He also was proud to volunteer at the American Red Cross as a CPR instructor and was an instructor for gun safety at the North Iowa Rod and Gun Club.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Violet, his children, Connie Pederson of Mason City, Bruce Christensen of Rockwell, David Christensen and his wife, Kris, of Mason City, and Pam Christensen of Osage; six grandchildren, Cassie, B.J., Chrissy, and Sam Pederson, Jamie and Matt Christensen; one great-granddaughter, Kiley Jo Pederson; a brother, Dick Christensen of Rockwell, a sister, Beatrice Kramer of Omaha, NE., and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marius and Carrie Christensen and brother, Marvin.

The family requests memorials be directed to the Alzheimers Association.

[Mitchell County Press-News, online, www.mcpress.com, Posted Oct. 31, 2001]