Dale Christensen

Dale Howard, son of Gaylor and Olivia (Molgaard) Christensen, was born March 30, 1937 on his parents' farm east of Kimballton, in Audubon County, Iowa. He attended country school and completed his schooling in Audubon, graduating with the Class of 1955. Upon graduating Dale entered the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged and he returned home to work for Carl Bonneson as a carpenter in Elk Horn. On August 31, 1958, Dale was united in marriage with Shirley Fredrickson at Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn. They started farming in Audubon County and in 1968 moved to Shirley's family farm near Rorbeck. They raised their family of three children on this farm and Dale was very active in the Elk Horn community. He served on the board of directors of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church where he was a member. Dale was also a member of the Southwest Iowa Farm Business Association and the Elk Horn Saddle Club. He served as leader of the Rorbeck Rambler 4-H Club and was Beef Superintendent at the Shelby County Fair. Throughout his life, Dale enjoyed his family, dancing, riding horse, and sharing his carpentry work, doing projects for his family and many others in the Elk Horn-Kimballton Communities. Dale and Shirley retired from farming in 1995. They would then spend many weekends traveling to watch their grandchildren participate in sporting and dance activities. Dale was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. He entered Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Dale died there on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at the age of 76 years, 7 months and 15 days. Preceding him in death are his parents; brothers Burdette Christensen, Lamont Christensen and Lyle Christensen; sisters Beulah Jensen and Doris Hollingsworth; brothers in law Lee Jensen and Wayne Hollingsworth; sister in law Amy Christensen; father in law Wilford Fredrickson; and nephews Gary Jensen, Todd Christensen and David Christensen. Dale is survived by his wife Shirley Christensen of Elk Horn; three children Craig Christensen of Walnut, Troy (Mary) Christensen of Elk Horn and Jan (Rick) Theisen of Johnston; two grandchildren Cole and Kyra Theisen; two step grandchildren Tara (Cory) Scholl of Lewis and Amber (Corey) Chalupa of Waterloo; four step great grandchildren; mother in law Esther Fredrickson of Walnut; brother Ivan Christensen of Woodbine; two sisters in law Lois Jean Christensen of Elk Horn and Marlene Christensen of Elk Horn; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation Monday, November 18, 2013, 4 - 8 PM Elk Horn Lutheran Church, Elk Horn, Iowa Funeral Service Tuesday, November 19, 2013, 10:30 AM Elk Horn Lutheran Church Pastor Keith Menter, Officiating Music "How Great Thou Art" "The Old Rugged Cross" Congregation "The Lord's Prayer" Pastor Menter, Vocalist Nancy Watson, Accompanist "Go Rest High On That Mountain" Vince Gill Recording Casket Bearers Tom Potts Lyle Anderson Randy Henningsen Paul Nielsen Robert Nielsen Steve Jacobs Larry Fajen Dale Kuehl Honorary Casket Bearers Don Lauritsen George Becker Don Ogren Howard Juhler Richard Allen All of Dale's Nieces and Nephews Interment with Military Honors American Legion Post 322 Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery .