(veteran)

Former Craig resident Earl A. Christensen, 84, of Oakland, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2001, at Oakland Heights.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the United Methodist Church in Craig, with the Rev. Nicola Frail officiating. Interment will be at the Craig Cemetery, with special military graveside rites by the American Legion Posts No. 127 and No. 46, and V.F.W. Post No. 5543.

Visitation began Wednesday, and is also scheduled one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Earl A. Christensen was born Sept. 25, 1916, on the family farm near Craig to Emil and Hannah (Hoganson) Christenson. His family farmed in the Swaburg area until his father moved to Craig to run Christenson’s Grocery and Meat Market.

He graduated from Craig High School in 1934. Upon graduation, he attended Dana College in Blair for one year, and the University of Omaha for one year. Mr. Christensen and his brother, Carl, operated a gas station in Oakland. In the late 1930’s, he began working in the grocery store with his father. While working in the grocery, he met his future wife, Helen Burg.

On May 8, 1942, he was called to serve his country. During his service, he spent 3 ½ years in the Air Force, with the final 2 ½ years serving in Northern Africa. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 14, 1945.

On June 1, 1945, Earl and Helen were married. The couple had just marked their 56th wedding anniversary.

In 1959, Mr. Christensen became postmaster in Craig. He served the community in this capacity until his retirement from the post office in 1982. He was committed to the community of Craig, and his love for the community was evident by the various organizations in which he was actively involved. He was a member of the Craig School Board, Craig Town Board and the Craig Cemetery Board. He served on the Craig Rescue Squad for 25 years and the Craig Fire Department for 38 years. He was a 55-year member of the Craig American Legion, and in 1996, he received his 50-year pin from the V.F.W.

Mr. Christensen was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Craig, having held many church offices; he received his 50-year membership pin in July 2001.

He is survived by his wife, Helen of Craig; sons and daughters-in-law, Rodney and Diane Christenson of Blair, Mike and Jeane Christenson of Missouri Valley, Iowa; three grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Dick Walker of Golden, Colo., and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Carl and Emery.

Memorials are suggested to Craig Community Center, Craig United Methodist Church, Craig Fire and Rescue. Palmquist-Pelan Funeral Home In Oakland in charge of arrangements.

(typed as printed in the newspaper. Notice that Christensen is spelled both "s e n" and "s o n.")