Frank Christensen 1915-2006

CHRISTENSEN, JENSEN, BLAIR, WELLS, BASS, LILLEVIK

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 4/21/2007 at 09:06:18

Frank Christensen, 90
1915-2006

Funeral services for Frank M. Christensen, 90, of West Bend were held Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, with Rev. Shirley Textor officiating. Frank passed away Tuesday, March 28 at the Emmetsburg Care Center, Emmetsburg, Iowa. Burial was in the West Bend Cemetery. Harris Funeral Home of West Bend handled the arrangements.

Casket Bearers were Andrew, Thomas and Scott Crestodina, Grant and Glenn Gearhart and Gerald Christensen.

Frank Marinus Christensen was born May 14, 1915, in West Bend, Iowa; the oldest child of Jens "Chris" and Petrea (Jensen) Christensen, immigrants from Denmark. He received his education in Rodman. Frank farmed in the West Bend area throughout his life. His early memories included making hay on a virgin prairie and picking field corn by hand. He spoke fluent Danish. He enjoyed playing music, traveling, riding motorcycles and dancing. His passion in life was flying. He kept a plane on his farm and maintained landing strips there for forty-five years, giving countless friends and acquaintances their first airplane rides. Frank was an active member in the United Methodist Church of West Bend, the Masonic Lodge, where he served as Past Master, the Eastern Stars, Rebekahs, Odd Fellows and the Flying Farmers.

Frank married Ruth Blair of West Bend in 1941. After her death he married Lois Wells of Marathon, Iowa. Their daughters, Karen and Carole were born in 1947 and 1950. Karen died in 1975 and Lois in 1977. Frank was also preceded in death by his brothers: Richard of Estherville, George of Fort Dodge and Leo of West Bend. Survivors include his daughter, Carole (Mrs. Donald) Bass and grandsons...all living in the Chicago, Illinois area and his sister, Iona Lillevik of Emmetsburg, Iowa; and his long time companion, Doris Hough, of Rodman, Iowa.

--West Bend Journal; Thursday, April 6, 2006 page 2.