H. Lynn Christensen
March 6, 1937 — September 21, 2010
Howard Lynn Christensen, the son of James Howard and Grace Larson Christensen, was born on March 6, 1937 in Harlan, Iowa. He started school at Jackson No. 3, a mile and three fourths walk from home. Lynn grew to adulthood in the Harlan area graduating from Harlan High School with the class of 1955. After high school, Lynn worked for the Shelby County Road Department until 1959 when he started to farm. His Black Angus purebred herd was a source of great pride and interest.
In 1984, his interest for operating heavy equipment led him to work for Western Engineering in addition to farming. During his lifetime, Lynn was married four times, first to Patricia Krueger on October 6, 1958 at Papillon, Nebraska. Four children were born to this union: Michael, Lori, Patrece and Ross. After Patty was killed in a farm accident on January 9, 1974, Lynn became a "mom" as well as a dad to his children.
Lynn later married Diane Wiley and then Georgia Lambertson. He said he saved the best for last as he married Pam Remmick in February of 2000. He even decorated his own wedding cake. Together they were able to travel while they both worked for Dobson Brothers Construction Company. As they traveled, Lynn’s interest in agriculture and especially people continued. He was known to visit cotton, peanut and vegetable fields discussing all the pros and cons of each variety. Lynn was always learning about crops. He was happy in small towns especially visiting with the locals. People that knew Lynn would say that he taught them how to laugh and have fun.
Grandchildren and great grandchildren were a source of great joy for Lynn. He once mailed gifts of a live tarantula and a live horned frog to grandchildren. How many grandfathers have worn out decks of cards playing "Old Maid" with their grandchildren and great grandchildren?
As Pam and Lynn traveled between Iowa, Oklahoma and Florida, a constant companion was his special trombone. It went everywhere with them but Lynn never played it. He always said he would someday. Just like the big tank he always wanted to own and drive.
Lynn died at his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Saturday, August 21, 2010 having attained the age of seventy-three years five months and fifteen days. In addition to his wife Patty, he was preceded in death by his parents and his son Ross.
Lynn is survived by his wife Pam Christensen of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; their children, Lori Gettys and Gordo of Garland Texas, Michael Christensen of Harlan, Iowa; Patrece and her husband Rod Mikels of Garland, Texas and Angie Remmick and her husband Jeremy Greer of Omaha, Nebraska; his mother-in-law, Lorraine "Mom" Becker of Des Moines, Iowa; sisters-in-law Kathy and her husband Richard West of Des Moines and Lynne Schaub of Kensett, Iowa; eleven grandchildren; seven and a half great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
A memorial service was officiated by Richard A. Jones at 10:00A.M. on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa with Nate Mikels, Lorraine "Mom" Becker, Larry Peed, Jolene Lytle, Michael Christensen, Ross Gettys, Randy Lester, Randy Armentrout, Jeremy Greer, Stan Johansen, Dana Larimore and Bruce Heilesen serving as honorary casket bearers.
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In 1984, his interest for operating heavy equipment led him to work for Western Engineering in addition to farming. During his lifetime, Lynn was married four times, first to Patricia Krueger on October 6, 1958 at Papillon, Nebraska. Four children were born to this union: Michael, Lori, Patrece and Ross. After Patty was killed in a farm accident on January 9, 1974, Lynn became a "mom" as well as a dad to his children.
Lynn later married Diane Wiley and then Georgia Lambertson. He said he saved the best for last as he married Pam Remmick in February of 2000. He even decorated his own wedding cake. Together they were able to travel while they both worked for Dobson Brothers Construction Company. As they traveled, Lynn’s interest in agriculture and especially people continued. He was known to visit cotton, peanut and vegetable fields discussing all the pros and cons of each variety. Lynn was always learning about crops. He was happy in small towns especially visiting with the locals. People that knew Lynn would say that he taught them how to laugh and have fun.
Grandchildren and great grandchildren were a source of great joy for Lynn. He once mailed gifts of a live tarantula and a live horned frog to grandchildren. How many grandfathers have worn out decks of cards playing "Old Maid" with their grandchildren and great grandchildren?
As Pam and Lynn traveled between Iowa, Oklahoma and Florida, a constant companion was his special trombone. It went everywhere with them but Lynn never played it. He always said he would someday. Just like the big tank he always wanted to own and drive.
Lynn died at his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Saturday, August 21, 2010 having attained the age of seventy-three years five months and fifteen days. In addition to his wife Patty, he was preceded in death by his parents and his son Ross.
Lynn is survived by his wife Pam Christensen of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; their children, Lori Gettys and Gordo of Garland Texas, Michael Christensen of Harlan, Iowa; Patrece and her husband Rod Mikels of Garland, Texas and Angie Remmick and her husband Jeremy Greer of Omaha, Nebraska; his mother-in-law, Lorraine "Mom" Becker of Des Moines, Iowa; sisters-in-law Kathy and her husband Richard West of Des Moines and Lynne Schaub of Kensett, Iowa; eleven grandchildren; seven and a half great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
A memorial service was officiated by Richard A. Jones at 10:00A.M. on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa with Nate Mikels, Lorraine "Mom" Becker, Larry Peed, Jolene Lytle, Michael Christensen, Ross Gettys, Randy Lester, Randy Armentrout, Jeremy Greer, Stan Johansen, Dana Larimore and Bruce Heilesen serving as honorary casket bearers.
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