Virgil Christensen
May 16, 1929 — August 2, 2018
Virgil LeRoy Christensen, 89
May 16, 1929 – August 2, 2018
Virgil LeRoy Christensen was born May 16, 1929 to George and Ollie (Peterson) Christensen on his parents’ farm near Kirkman, Iowa. He was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan. Virgil attended country school and graduated from Kirkman High School in 1946 with a class of 8 and was editor-in-chief of the Kirkman “Komet”. Following graduation, he worked several years as a hired man for Francis Petersen near Kirkman.
On December 27, 1950 Virgil married Joyce LaVonne Mitten at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan. Several months following this marriage, Virgil was drafted into the Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War stationed in Tokyo, Japan. Upon his military discharge in 1953, Virgil and his beautiful bride farmed east of Harlan for several years. Upon his parents moving to town, Virgil and Joyce then moved their growing family to the homeplace to continue dairy farming. In May 1972 Virgil began working at Tredway Implement in parts sales as well as farming. In 1980
Virgil retired from farming; he and his wife built a new home in Harlan. There he continued to work at various John Deere implement dealerships in Harlan and Avoca.
Virgil was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church and served as treasurer for many years. Virgil, along with his wife, enjoyed traveling, camping, snow skiing in Aspen, attending grandchildren’s sports events, volunteering at the Museum of Danish America, and spending time with family and dear friends.
Surrounded by his loving family, Virgil L. Christensen passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, NE, after many years of heart-related health problems. He had reached the age of 89 years, two months and 17 days.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Clarice Christensen of Solvang, CA, and brother, Lloyd Christensen of LaCanada, CA.
Virgil is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joyce LaVonne Christensen of Harlan; one daughter, Debbie Christensen Larsen of Harlan, IA; two sons, Tim (Joan) Christensen of Bennington, NE, and Kevin (Sue) Christensen of Omaha, NE; six grandchildren, Cole Larsen and Reece Larsen, both of Carroll, IA, Mitch Christensen and Clint (Colleen) Christensen, both of Omaha, NE, Danielle Christensen of Minneapolis, MN and Devin (Li-Dunn) Chen of Calvary, Canada; two great grandchildren, Ava and Augie Christensen; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
Virgil Christensen, an advocate of the ‘Anatomical Gift Program’, donated his body to the University of Nebraska Medical Center - Creighton University. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Virgil was proud of his Danish heritage; the family requests that memorials be sent to the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, IA. Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan facilitated these arrangements.
May 16, 1929 – August 2, 2018
Virgil LeRoy Christensen was born May 16, 1929 to George and Ollie (Peterson) Christensen on his parents’ farm near Kirkman, Iowa. He was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan. Virgil attended country school and graduated from Kirkman High School in 1946 with a class of 8 and was editor-in-chief of the Kirkman “Komet”. Following graduation, he worked several years as a hired man for Francis Petersen near Kirkman.
On December 27, 1950 Virgil married Joyce LaVonne Mitten at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan. Several months following this marriage, Virgil was drafted into the Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War stationed in Tokyo, Japan. Upon his military discharge in 1953, Virgil and his beautiful bride farmed east of Harlan for several years. Upon his parents moving to town, Virgil and Joyce then moved their growing family to the homeplace to continue dairy farming. In May 1972 Virgil began working at Tredway Implement in parts sales as well as farming. In 1980
Virgil retired from farming; he and his wife built a new home in Harlan. There he continued to work at various John Deere implement dealerships in Harlan and Avoca.
Virgil was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church and served as treasurer for many years. Virgil, along with his wife, enjoyed traveling, camping, snow skiing in Aspen, attending grandchildren’s sports events, volunteering at the Museum of Danish America, and spending time with family and dear friends.
Surrounded by his loving family, Virgil L. Christensen passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, NE, after many years of heart-related health problems. He had reached the age of 89 years, two months and 17 days.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Clarice Christensen of Solvang, CA, and brother, Lloyd Christensen of LaCanada, CA.
Virgil is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joyce LaVonne Christensen of Harlan; one daughter, Debbie Christensen Larsen of Harlan, IA; two sons, Tim (Joan) Christensen of Bennington, NE, and Kevin (Sue) Christensen of Omaha, NE; six grandchildren, Cole Larsen and Reece Larsen, both of Carroll, IA, Mitch Christensen and Clint (Colleen) Christensen, both of Omaha, NE, Danielle Christensen of Minneapolis, MN and Devin (Li-Dunn) Chen of Calvary, Canada; two great grandchildren, Ava and Augie Christensen; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
Virgil Christensen, an advocate of the ‘Anatomical Gift Program’, donated his body to the University of Nebraska Medical Center - Creighton University. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Virgil was proud of his Danish heritage; the family requests that memorials be sent to the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, IA. Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan facilitated these arrangements.
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