Christensen, Jerry Edward (1941 – 2020)

CHRISTENSEN, OBRECHT, THOMSEN, WEDEMEYER, WILKERSON, GILLAM

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 12/28/2020 at 15:44:38

Name of deceased: Jerry Edward Christensen

Aged: 79 yrs, 1 mo, 15 days

Residence: Avoca, Pottawattamie County, IA

Born: Nov. 1, 1941; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Died: Dec. 16, 2020; Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Private Family Funeral Service: Monday, Dec. 21, 2020; Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Avoca, IA

Survived by: Wife of 58 years, Rae Christensen of Avoca, IA; children, Steve Christensen of Minden, IA, Greg (spouse, Connie) Christensen of Tea, SD, and Susan (spouse, Brian) Wedemeyer of Avoca, IA; grandchildren, Zach (spouse, Lauren), Caleb, Ethen and Emily Christensen, and Taylor and Ryan Wedemeyer; sisters, Jeanette Wilkerson of Exira, IA and Judy (spouse, Larry) Gillam of DeSoto, MO; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Christian and Esther (nee Obrecht) Christensen; brother, David

Education: Attended school in Tennant, IA and graduated from Tennant High School; he went on and attained his bachelors and coaching certificate from Northwest Missouri State, Maryville, MO; he later earned his master’s degree from University of Wisconsin, Platteville, WI.

Religious affiliation: no information provided

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Rae Thomsen; Nov. 10, 1962; Trinity Lutheran Church, Avoca, IA

Employment: In 1963, he began teaching and coaching basketball in Ravenwood, MO. Jerry spent 10 years between Oxford Junction, IA, Carroll, IA and Warsaw, IL before settling in Treynor, IA. While at Treynor, he, earned several awards and took 7 teams to the state tournament, 3 of which included his 2 sons. He finished with 618 victories, and was inducted into the Iowa Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. He was a dedicated guidance counselor and helped many students enter college.

Hobbies/Interests: After retirement, Jerry moved to Avoca, IA and spent his time as a substitute teacher, driving buses and as a volunteer coach with the AHSTW basketball team. Jerry and Rae enjoyed traveling, including trips to Switzerland, Hawaii and going on several cruises. In the summers, he loved spending time with family and vacationing at Okoboji, IA. Jerry was involved in his grandchildren’s lives and enjoyed being with them as much as possible.

Sources: pauleyjones.com