Robert Duane
April 17, 1930 â August 17, 2013
Robert Duane Christensen, son of Arnold and Helen (Havick) Christensen, was born on April 17, 1930 at Elk Horn, Iowa. He attended country school, Harlan High School and graduated with the class of 1947. In December of 1950, Robert enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Tacoma, Washington, Iceland and Phoenix, Arizona until his honorable discharge in 1954.
On August 14, 1955, Robert was united in marriage to Joanne Jackson of Rhodes, Iowa. They were the parents of five children: Brian, Bruce, Ray, Diane and Jan. After their marriage, Robert and Joanne began farming and continued in a stewardship program of the soil until retirement in 1995. His interest in agriculture was expanded through his service as a member of the Shelby County Extension Council and president of the Shelby County Farm Bureau in 1965 and 1966.
Robert also enjoyed a long Masonic career that was initiated on January 31, 1972 at the Parian Lodge No. 321 in Harlan, Iowa; passed February 12, 1972 and raised on February 25, 1972. He started through the lodge line in 1973 as Senior Steward and was elected Worshipful Master in 1977. Bob was very active in degree work and conducted many Masonic funeral services.
Joining the York Rite in 1972, he served as High Priest of Olivet Chapter No. 107 in 1993, Illustrious Master of Adelphia Council No. 4 in 1994 and Eminent Commander of Mt. Zion Commandery No. 49 in 1995. He has been Secretary-Recorder of all Harlan Masonic Bodies since 1983.
His service to the Grand Chapter included appointments as Grand Representative of New Zealand in 1992, Deputy Grand High Priest 1990-1991, Grand Master II Veil 1991-1992 and 1992-1993, Grand Principal Sojourner 1993-1994 and 1994-1995 and Dean of the District Deputy Grand High Priest in 1995-1996. In the Grand Council he was appointed Grand Representative of Utah in 1990.
Other Masonic and fraternal memberships included KYCH, Abu Bekr Temple AAONMS in 1972; Harlan Shrine Club President in 1974; Captain of the Harlan Shrine âTâ Patrol from 1982-1984; Worthy Patron of Lebonan Chapter No. 8 OES in 1987 and 1989; Ancient Order of Resonant and Redolent Pardesiacs and Past Noble Grand, IOOF.
Bob loved being a grandpa and enjoyed time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed flying, table tennis, genealogy, computers, his cabin at Lake View as well as masonry. He and Joanne were long-time members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan.
Bob died on August 17, 2013 at the Myrtue Memorial Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa having attained the age of eighty-three years and four months. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, David.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Joanne Christensen of Harlan; his children: Brian Christensen; Bruce Christensen both of Harlan; Ray Christensen of Highlands Ranch Colorado; Diane and her husband Paul Stewart of Harlan and Jan and her husband Leon Schmitz of Parkville, Missouri; grandchildren: Melissa and her husband Jeremiah Ostrem of Bondurant, Iowa; Zachary Stewart and his wife Sara of Omaha, Nebraska; Danielle Stewart of Harlan; Rebecca Christensen of Kearney, Nebraska; Jacob Christensen of Highland Ranch, Colorado; Meghan Christensen of Kearney, Nebraska; Alex Schmitz of Parkville, Missouri; Taylor Christensen of Highland Ranch, Colorado and Cody Christensen of Harlan; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Pastor Steven Chellew officiated the 2:00 PM funeral service on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa. Jennifer Perkins and Diane Kastens provided the music. Honorary casket bearers were Dwayne Larsen, Marvin Piittmann, Kirk Petersen, Fritz Tiarks, and Bert Hillers. Serving as casket bearers were Rick Doran, Ken Schechinger, Dave Gude, Dennis Heflin, Dave Murphy, and Dennis Woodin. Military Rites were performed at the Harlan Cemetery.
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On August 14, 1955, Robert was united in marriage to Joanne Jackson of Rhodes, Iowa. They were the parents of five children: Brian, Bruce, Ray, Diane and Jan. After their marriage, Robert and Joanne began farming and continued in a stewardship program of the soil until retirement in 1995. His interest in agriculture was expanded through his service as a member of the Shelby County Extension Council and president of the Shelby County Farm Bureau in 1965 and 1966.
Robert also enjoyed a long Masonic career that was initiated on January 31, 1972 at the Parian Lodge No. 321 in Harlan, Iowa; passed February 12, 1972 and raised on February 25, 1972. He started through the lodge line in 1973 as Senior Steward and was elected Worshipful Master in 1977. Bob was very active in degree work and conducted many Masonic funeral services.
Joining the York Rite in 1972, he served as High Priest of Olivet Chapter No. 107 in 1993, Illustrious Master of Adelphia Council No. 4 in 1994 and Eminent Commander of Mt. Zion Commandery No. 49 in 1995. He has been Secretary-Recorder of all Harlan Masonic Bodies since 1983.
His service to the Grand Chapter included appointments as Grand Representative of New Zealand in 1992, Deputy Grand High Priest 1990-1991, Grand Master II Veil 1991-1992 and 1992-1993, Grand Principal Sojourner 1993-1994 and 1994-1995 and Dean of the District Deputy Grand High Priest in 1995-1996. In the Grand Council he was appointed Grand Representative of Utah in 1990.
Other Masonic and fraternal memberships included KYCH, Abu Bekr Temple AAONMS in 1972; Harlan Shrine Club President in 1974; Captain of the Harlan Shrine âTâ Patrol from 1982-1984; Worthy Patron of Lebonan Chapter No. 8 OES in 1987 and 1989; Ancient Order of Resonant and Redolent Pardesiacs and Past Noble Grand, IOOF.
Bob loved being a grandpa and enjoyed time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed flying, table tennis, genealogy, computers, his cabin at Lake View as well as masonry. He and Joanne were long-time members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan.
Bob died on August 17, 2013 at the Myrtue Memorial Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa having attained the age of eighty-three years and four months. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, David.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Joanne Christensen of Harlan; his children: Brian Christensen; Bruce Christensen both of Harlan; Ray Christensen of Highlands Ranch Colorado; Diane and her husband Paul Stewart of Harlan and Jan and her husband Leon Schmitz of Parkville, Missouri; grandchildren: Melissa and her husband Jeremiah Ostrem of Bondurant, Iowa; Zachary Stewart and his wife Sara of Omaha, Nebraska; Danielle Stewart of Harlan; Rebecca Christensen of Kearney, Nebraska; Jacob Christensen of Highland Ranch, Colorado; Meghan Christensen of Kearney, Nebraska; Alex Schmitz of Parkville, Missouri; Taylor Christensen of Highland Ranch, Colorado and Cody Christensen of Harlan; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Pastor Steven Chellew officiated the 2:00 PM funeral service on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa. Jennifer Perkins and Diane Kastens provided the music. Honorary casket bearers were Dwayne Larsen, Marvin Piittmann, Kirk Petersen, Fritz Tiarks, and Bert Hillers. Serving as casket bearers were Rick Doran, Ken Schechinger, Dave Gude, Dennis Heflin, Dave Murphy, and Dennis Woodin. Military Rites were performed at the Harlan Cemetery.
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