Eldon Christensen

CHRISTENSEN OLSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 21:24:40

Woodbury County History 1984

Eldon and Doris (Olson) Christensen
By Doris Christensen

Doris Gwendolyn Olson, the younger daughter of Rudolph and Lucile Olson and the youngest grandchild of Aaron and Maren Olson, was born October 3, 1922, at Fairfax, South Dakota. She moved with her parents to Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, and lived there until she was graduated from the Sergeant Bluff High School in 1940. She was graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1944. While at the University, she was a member of Chi Omega, Phil Sigma Iota, Kappa Phi and Alpha Lambda Delta. She also served as President of the Girls Athletic Association and in her Senior year served on th Governing Board of the University.

Doris was a High School English Instructor and taught for two years in the Smithland, Iowa, High School. She then taught for two years in the High School at Climbing Hill, Iowa. In 1948, Doris was married to Eldon Alfred Christensen, son of Reverend and Mrs Alfred Christensen of Lamont, Iowa, at Grace Methodist Church in Sioux City. Eldon Christensen, whose mother’s name was Rose Arvilla Smith, was also a descendant of early Woodbury County Settlers. Eldon was born September 22, 1918, in Botna, Iowa. He graduated from college at the University of Dubuque in 1939. He then coached in Climbing Hill, Iowa, until he resigned to enter the US Air Force in June of 1942. He served as a Navy Pilot in the Pacific Theater until the end of the war in 1946. Hen then returned to coach at Climbing Hill, Iowa.

After their marriage in 1948, Doris and Eldon moved to Luton, Iowa, where Eldon assumed his first Superintendency and Doris served as High School Principal. At this time they were the only tow high school teachers in the school, but they taught so many subjects that the school received full state approval. They lived in Luton and taught school there for four years. During this period of time, Eldon worked for and received his M.A. Degree from the University of South Dakota. It was at this time that his name first appeared in Who is Who in American Education.

The Christensens moved to Peterson, Iowa, in 1952. They remained in Peterson until 1956. During this stay Doris taught Englsih, French and Typing and coached plays and dramatics. During this period Doris realized great success as a speech teacher and was recognized state-wide as a speech teacher and judge and critic. The summers were spent in Boulder, Colorado, where Eldon was working on his Doctorate in Education.

In 1956, the Christensens moved to Schleswig, Iowa, where their first child, Camille Kay, was born. Pamela Gwen was born in 1957. This was a very productive period for Mr Christensen. While at Schleswig, the school district was re-organized and two successful building programs were completed. He joined the Masonic Lodge at Denison and taught a Sunday School Class at the United Church of Christ. Doris was appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Association of University Women. She was alos appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Northwest District of the Sheltered Workshop in Iowa. She now attended Easter Star at Denison. In 1962, Mrs Christensen returned to full-time teaching.

Because of the poor health of Mr Olson, the Christensens returned to Woodbury County in 1970. This time Mr Christensen assumed the superintendency of the Eastwood High School and they bought a home in Correctionville, Iowa. At this date, Mrs Christensen is still with the Eastwood Community School District.

Camille Kay Christensen graduated from the Eastwood High School in 1974. In 1979, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude and Mortar Board from the University of South Dakota. She is a Medical Technologist at St Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, and is married to Dr Kevin Liudahl.

Pamela Gwen Christensen, the youngest great grandchild of Aaron and Maren Olson, graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1979. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and Mortar Board. She is now employed as a Medical Technologist at St Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa, and is married to Brian Briese, son of Mr and Mrs Fred Briese, of Correctionville, Iowa.