Christensen, Virgil LeRoy (1929 - 2018)

CHRISTENSEN, LARSEN, CHEN, PETERSON, MITTEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/19/2018 at 15:11:58

Name of deceased: Virgil LeRoy Christensen

Aged: 89 yrs, 2 mo, 17 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: May 16, 1929; Kirkman, Shelby County, IA

Died: Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018; Creighton University Medical Center--Bergan Mercy Hospital, Omaha, Douglas County, NE

Funeral services: Virgil, an advocate of the ‘Anatomical Gift Program’, donated his body to the University of Nebraska Medical Center - Creighton University. A memorial service to be held at a later date.

Survived by: Wife of 67 years, Joyce LaVonne Christensen of Harlan, IA; daughter, Debbie Christensen Larsen of Harlan, IA; sons, Tim (spouse, Joan) Christensen of Bennington, NE, and Kevin (spouse, Sue) Christensen of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Cole Larsen and Reece Larsen, both of Carroll, IA, Mitch Christensen and Clint (spouse, Colleen) Christensen, both of Omaha, NE, Danielle Christensen of Minneapolis, MN and Devin (spouse, Li-Dunn) Chen of Calvary, Canada; great-grandchildren, Ava and Augie Christensen; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, George and Ollie (nee Peterson) Christensen; sister, Clarice Christensen of Solvang, CA; brother, Lloyd Christensen of LaCanada, CA

Education: Attended country school in Shelby County, IA, and graduated from Kirkman (IA) High School, Class of 1946

Religious affiliation: Baptized at Bethel Baptist Church, Harlan, IA; member, Bethel Baptist Church, Harlan, IA and served as treasurer for many years

Military service: Drafted into the U. S. Army; served 1951 - 1953 during the Korean War and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan

Marriage: Joyce LaVonne Mitten; Dec. 27, 1950; Bethel Baptist Church, Harlan, IA

Employment: After graduation from high school, he worked several years as a hired man and after his military service, he and Joyce farmed east of Harlan for several years. When his parents moved from the family farm to town, Virgil and Joyce moved their growing family there and continued dairy farming. In 1972, Virgil began selling parts at Tredway Implement in addition to farming, until he retired from farming in 1980. Virgil and Joyce then built a new home in Harlan while he continued to work at various John Deere implement dealerships in Harlan and Avoca.

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling; camping; snow skiing; volunteering at the Museum of Danish America; attending the grandchildren’s sports events and spending time with family and friends.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com