Memorial services for Charles Richard “Chuck” Christenson, 82, of Aurelia, formerly of Marathon, will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 9, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church in Aurelia, with Pastor Thomas Petersen and Nelva Petersen CLS officiating. Burial will be in the Poland Township Cemetery at Marathon, Iowa. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M., with Masonic and Eastern Star services at 7:30, at the church. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.
Charles was born December 23, 1932, on a farm north of Laurens, Iowa, the only son of Lester and Eleanor Lavina (Short) Christenson. They moved to Marathon in 1936. He was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in Marathon. He attended school in Marathon and Lincoln Lee Township. In 1950 he graduated from Marathon Consolidated School. While a senior he was offered a farm to rent and did until 1953. Then he was drafted into the United States Army. Discharged in 1955, he returned to Marathon and farmed for 42 years.
He was united in marriage on January 25, 1953, to Marilyn Jean Orcutt in Sioux Rapids, IA. They were active in church and Eastern Star. They had three girls; Cynthia Jane, Deborah Suzanne, and Nancy Jo. Marilyn died of cancer in 1968.
On June 1, 1969, Charles married Barbara Sue Orcutt in Blencoe, IA. They had two girls; Sara Kay and Amy Ruth. They wintered in Arizona for 16 years. In 2006 they moved off the farm to Aurelia. They celebrated 46 years of marriage.
Charles was proud of his family and his vocation of farming. He was a 58 year member of Universal Masonic Lodge #587 of Marathon and a Past Master, and a 58 year member of Eastern Star and a Past Patron. He enjoyed playing cards, sporting events, golfing, and reading.
Charles died Monday, July 6, 2015, at the Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee, IA.
Preceding Charles in death were his parents, his wife Marilyn, one sister, Mary and her husband Merle Waggie, and one son-in-law, Russel Pischel.
Charles’ life is celebrated by his wife, Barbara of Aurelia, daughters; Cindy and her husband Earl Baier of Des Moines, IA, Deborah Pischel of Machesney Park, IL, Nancy and her husband Criss Wood of Yuma, AZ, Sara and her husband James Evans of Maple Grove, MN, and Amy Christenson of Sioux City, IA, grandchildren; Carl, Wesley, Valerie, Ali, Marilyn, Krista, Charlie, Hayden, and Henry, great-grandchildren; Seth, Charlie, Tennessee, Jacob, Kash, Cindy, Baylee, Alyssa, Seth, Alyvia, and Amiyah, sister, Fran and her husband Ralph Hazen of Mesa, AZ, sisters-in-law; Donna Yeager of Spencer, IA, Janice Reck of Enterprise, AL, and Pat and husband Alan Jaycox of Denison, IA, nieces, nephews and many friends.