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Delbert christensen Delbert Leslie Christensen, son of Mads and Minnie (Warp) Christensen passed away Sunday morning, November 10, 2013, in Tucson, Arizona. Born on December 18, 1913 at Minden, Nebraska, on the Kristensen homestead, he spent his early childhood in Minden, before the family moved to a ranch in Bassett, Nebraska, in 1923. Delbert graduated from Rock County High school in 1931, and immediately started teaching in the local rural grade school. He spent 2 years at Kearney State College before enrolling at University of Nebraska, receiving his bachelors degree in 1939, and a Masters degree in Math in 1941. Summers were spent hauling ice by day and doing accounting work at night. In December of 1941, Delbert accepted an appointment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and moved to Philadelphia. He spent the WWII years investigating federal crimes and espionage in the Eastern United States. Delbert married Ruth Louise Koch on June 10, 1944, and they had four children, Ruth Ingrid, Connie Jo, Mark and David. Following the war, Delbert and Ruth moved to Chicago where he joined Flex-O-Glass, INC, an early plastics manufacturer. Innovation and loyalty were cornerstones at Flex-O-Glass, where Del worked for 49 years, serving as president for 15 of those years. In addition, he was a section director of the Society of Plastics Engineers from 1968-1970. Lifelong bonds of friendship started in modest apartments of Chicago carried out into the suburbs as families grew and careers progressed. Handball at the Austin YMCA was boy 's night out for 35 years. Delbert and Ruth raised their family in Elmhurst, Illinois, from 1950 to 1985, and were active enthusiastic members of their community. Ruth attended a writer 's workshop in 1970 at the American Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, Wisconsin, and soon became smitten with the atmosphere of the ABA grounds and surrounding area, convincing Del to retire there in the early 1980 's. Wonderful friendships with neighbors, fellow ABA volunteers, and ABA staff soon followed. Ruth and Del 's farm became a welcome haven for all, including family from out west, Chicago friends, and local kids feeding apples to the sheep. Age was never an issue as many of their closest friends were half their age. Winters were spent in Tucson, where they enjoyed Ingrid 's growing family and the warm weather. Delbert, a lifelong rock hound, was soon a fixture at the ABA lapidary shop where he continued to volunteer on a daily basis until he quit driving at the age of 97. A grove of 100 year old American chestnut trees near the golf course captured his attention, and soon Del had another hobby: gathering nuts and raising chestnut seedlings in his greenhouse, to re-establish the majestic tree nearly wiped out by blight in the 1800s. Del was featured in numerous newspaper stories and became a ready resource for local programs. His trees can be found all over Green Lake County. Summer at the farm meant a steady stream of kids, grandkids, and friends, which after Ruth 's death in 2001 provided companionship and physical assistance that allowed Del to live at home until he was 99. His life was enriched by the wonderful community of Green Lake. Delbert was a thoughtful man of impeccable honor and a quiet energy that earned respect. He and Ruth were a great team that touched and brightened many lives. Survivors include children, Ruth Ingrid Christensen Laurie of Tucson, Arizona, Connie Jo Christensen (John) Blumthal of Portland, Oregon, Mark Alan Christensen of Salt Lake City, Utah, and David Lars (Julie) Christensen of Park City, Utah; grandchildren, Yetive Ruth Laurie (Larry Ruhf), Adam Laurie, Zander Laurie, Stephen A. Shepro (Kathleen Hanson), Amy Jo Shepro (Tim) Tanous, John "Chris" Blumthal, Eric Christensen, Laurel Christensen, and Bryan Christensen; great-grandchildren, Gwyneth, Penny, and Ryan. His wife Ruth, parents, and siblings Archie, Helen, Bud and Robert preceded him in death. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, 2013, at The Federated Church of Green Lake, 489 Scott Street, Green Lake, WI 54941, with Rev. Karen Rodriguez officiating. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Federated Church Memorial Fund in Delbert 's name.
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4 Entries
I am sad to read of his passing. My sympathy to all the family...He was one of the best dads I have ever known: he always let us "boys" be boys...Peace to him and those he loved......
Mark Wilson
January 16, 2014
Our family will miss Del's presence in Troster in the coming years. May your family feel God's presence during this time. Blessings!
Cathy Dominowski
December 10, 2013
We have such fond memories of Del when we lived at the Stonehouse for ten years. We can still hear the golf cart whizzing by as he checked on his chestnuts in the greenhouse or the sheep in the pasture. Sometimes, we heard his tractor in the distance. Our boys love to reminisce about their adventures in Del and Ruth's woods. It was a magical place to grow up and thank you, Del and Ruth, for sharing it with us.
Tim, Chris, Logan, Collin and Nathan Schultz
November 19, 2013
To the family: Saying good-bye must be the hardest thing in the world for you, and words seem like such little things compared to what all of you are going through. With deepest sympathy.
November 17, 2013
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