John Walter Christensen
August 25, 1937 — February 7, 2023
John Walter Christensen, the son of Walter and Margaret Christensen, was born on August 25,1937 in Jackson Township, Shelby County. Growing up John enjoyed going fishing with his family and traveling to Minnesota for the annual summer Christensen get-together. He liked being the lone brother to his two sisters, who he loved dearly. In high school, John was a track, baseball and football athlete and as a sophomore was on the 1954 State Track Championship team. John graduated from Harlan High School in 1956.
On November 3, 1957, John was united in marriage to Myrna Loy Bladt at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. They had four sons: Scott, Jerry, Grant and Michael. The family farm was in the Jackson Township. They farmed together raising hogs, cattle and crops. During that time, John coached his boys on the Jacksonville Jets baseball team and served in various capacities at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, including Deacon and Council President. In the early 1980’s, John was elected to the HCSD school board and served as President from 1983 to 1984. He was an active supporter of his boys in their sporting and musical extra-curricular activities. John also had his pilot’s license and had ownership in a Cessna C150 aircraft. He enjoyed taking friends and family for rides, including a few flights to attend his boys’ out-of-town sporting events, and once to Florida for a school board convention.
In the early 80’s John started working as a Farm Manager at Wilson Hybrids and
later at Remington Seed as the Distribution Manager.
John and Myrna lived on the farm until 2001, when they moved into Harlan and lived there until Myrna passed away in 2005.
John was fortunate to have a second chance at love when he met Verna Erickson in 2006. They were married on Sept 1, 2007 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. John and Verna enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends, going out to the club and their weekly breakfasts at Wings. Together they enjoyed 15 years of marriage.
First and foremost, John was a man of faith. His church and Bible Study were mainstays of his life. John was a true caregiver in big and small ways. He was always willing to lend a hand or a tool, share his time on a project, or drive his tractor anywhere to help out.
John loved his family deeply. When the phone would ring, there was a good chance it was John calling to be sure you were okay. He was happiest surrounded by his family -- at grandkids’ sporting or musical events, at family gatherings sharing his famous homemade ice cream, and hosting visitors outside on the patio or in the living room. His grandchildren and great grandchildren brought him immense joy.
John was a dedicated Chiefs, Hawkeye and HCHS Cyclone fan. Most Friday nights during football season, you could find John and Verna parked at the North end-zone cheering on the Harlan Cyclones.
In his retirement years, he continued to stay busy spending many hours caring for the property – doing work with his tractor, filling his bird feeders, tending to his flowers, and feeding the outdoor cats that happened upon the acreage. Keeping everything healthy and beautiful.
John died on February 7, 2023 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, having attained the age of 85 years 5 months 13 days. He was proceeded in death by his father Walter Christensen, his mother Margaret Christensen, his first wife Myrna (Bladt) Christensen, and his son Grant Christensen.
John is survived by his wife Verna Erickson of Harlan Iowa; his children: Scott (Cynthia) Christensen of Omaha; Jerry (Jenny) Christensen of Castle Rock, CO; Michael (Emily) Christensen of Harlan; his daughter-in-law Rita Christensen of Omaha; one step son Michael (Juanita) Erickson of Elk Horn; one step daughter Jill (Dave) Pappa of Lord’s Valley, PA; 9 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; two sisters Patricia (Derald) Kumm of Harlan and Mary (Herm) Marsh of Torrance, CA, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Organ Fund.
On November 3, 1957, John was united in marriage to Myrna Loy Bladt at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. They had four sons: Scott, Jerry, Grant and Michael. The family farm was in the Jackson Township. They farmed together raising hogs, cattle and crops. During that time, John coached his boys on the Jacksonville Jets baseball team and served in various capacities at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, including Deacon and Council President. In the early 1980’s, John was elected to the HCSD school board and served as President from 1983 to 1984. He was an active supporter of his boys in their sporting and musical extra-curricular activities. John also had his pilot’s license and had ownership in a Cessna C150 aircraft. He enjoyed taking friends and family for rides, including a few flights to attend his boys’ out-of-town sporting events, and once to Florida for a school board convention.
In the early 80’s John started working as a Farm Manager at Wilson Hybrids and
later at Remington Seed as the Distribution Manager.
John and Myrna lived on the farm until 2001, when they moved into Harlan and lived there until Myrna passed away in 2005.
John was fortunate to have a second chance at love when he met Verna Erickson in 2006. They were married on Sept 1, 2007 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. John and Verna enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends, going out to the club and their weekly breakfasts at Wings. Together they enjoyed 15 years of marriage.
First and foremost, John was a man of faith. His church and Bible Study were mainstays of his life. John was a true caregiver in big and small ways. He was always willing to lend a hand or a tool, share his time on a project, or drive his tractor anywhere to help out.
John loved his family deeply. When the phone would ring, there was a good chance it was John calling to be sure you were okay. He was happiest surrounded by his family -- at grandkids’ sporting or musical events, at family gatherings sharing his famous homemade ice cream, and hosting visitors outside on the patio or in the living room. His grandchildren and great grandchildren brought him immense joy.
John was a dedicated Chiefs, Hawkeye and HCHS Cyclone fan. Most Friday nights during football season, you could find John and Verna parked at the North end-zone cheering on the Harlan Cyclones.
In his retirement years, he continued to stay busy spending many hours caring for the property – doing work with his tractor, filling his bird feeders, tending to his flowers, and feeding the outdoor cats that happened upon the acreage. Keeping everything healthy and beautiful.
John died on February 7, 2023 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, having attained the age of 85 years 5 months 13 days. He was proceeded in death by his father Walter Christensen, his mother Margaret Christensen, his first wife Myrna (Bladt) Christensen, and his son Grant Christensen.
John is survived by his wife Verna Erickson of Harlan Iowa; his children: Scott (Cynthia) Christensen of Omaha; Jerry (Jenny) Christensen of Castle Rock, CO; Michael (Emily) Christensen of Harlan; his daughter-in-law Rita Christensen of Omaha; one step son Michael (Juanita) Erickson of Elk Horn; one step daughter Jill (Dave) Pappa of Lord’s Valley, PA; 9 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; two sisters Patricia (Derald) Kumm of Harlan and Mary (Herm) Marsh of Torrance, CA, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Organ Fund.
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