Christensen, Harry William 1929 - 2011

CHRISTENSEN, LINDQUIST, SHOSTROM

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/6/2011 at 10:11:39

Harry W. Christensen
(June 27, 1929 - May 6, 2011)

Le Mars, Iowa - Harry W. Christensen, 81, of Le Mars, Iowa, formerly of Ord and Stromsburg, Nebraska, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2011 at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at the Evangelical Free Church in Stromsburg, Nebraska. Rev. Dennis Ritchey and Rev. Kerry Relihan will officiate. Burial will follow at the Stromsburg Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Stromsburg American Legion Post #132. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 6-8 p.m. with a Prayer Service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church.

Harry William Christensen, the son of William and Genevieve (Lindquist) Christensen, was born on June 27, 1929 in Howard County, Nebraska. He graduated from Stromsburg (Nebraska) High School in 1948. Following his education, Harry enlisted in the United States Navy. He served for two years prior to earning his Honorable Discharge. Harry returned to Stromsburg after the service and took a position at Baker Oil Company as a mechanic.

On June 6, 1954, Harry and Marlyce Shostrom were united in marriage at the Baptist Church in Polk, Nebraska. Harry became a manager and part owner of a NAPA Auto Parts store in Stromsburg. In 1977, Harry and Marlyce moved to Ord, Nebraska and purchased the NAPA stores in Ord, Sergeant and Burwell, Nebraska. In 1994, Harry retired from the auto parts industry. The couple remained in Ord until moving to Le Mars, Iowa in September of 2010 to be closer to family.

Harry was an active member of the Evangelical Free Church and volunteered in many capacities throughout the years, which included serving on the Timberlake Camp Board. He was also active in his community and served on the Stromsburg School Board, was a Scoutmaster with Boy Scouts of America, was a member of Rotary and Sertoma and was elected Honorary King during the Swedish Festival in Stromsburg.

He enjoyed many hobbies including woodworking, traveling, camping, sailing, motorcycling, and building free flight model airplanes. Most important to Harry was the time he spent with his family.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Marlyce of Le Mars, IA; a son, James and his wife Kimberly of Holstein, IA; a daughter Rev. Janis Christensen of Le Mars, IA; a son, Dr. Bradley and his wife Elizabeth “Libby” of Berea, KY; grandchildren, Korey and Jaime Joy Christensen, Melissa, Ryan and Kayla Christensen; a brother, Dale and his wife Helen of Lincoln, NE; five sisters, Fern Hoffer of Lincoln, NE, Lela (Glynn) Dean of Pharr, TX, Joyce (Marvin) Nelson of Grand Island, NE, Maryann (Bob) Hronik of Pharr, TX and Wilma (Jim) Weeks of Alamo, TX.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; two step-fathers, Raymond Johnson and Ben Greenland; and a brother-in-law, Albert Hoffer.

Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home
Le Mars, IA