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Jerome L. Christensen, age 63, passed away on Aug. 22, 2023 at his home in Castle Rock, Colo. A celebration of life and luncheon will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Blair.

Jerome, the son of John and Myrna Christensen, was born on Jan. 24, 1960, in Harlan, Iowa. He grew up on a farm outside of Jacksonville, where he later went to Harlan High School, graduated from Dana College, and lived in Blair, Neb., with his wife, Jennifer, and kids Jacob and Joni until his move to Castle Rock, Colo., in 2000.

He was preceded in death by his father John Christensen, his mother Myrna (Bladt) Christensen, and his brother Grant Christensen. Jerry is survived by his wife Jenny Christensen of Castle Rock, Colo.; his children: Jake (Jamie) Christensen of Blair; Joni (Matt) Clements of Blair; his brothers Scott (Cynthia) Christensen of Omaha, Michael (Emily) Christensen of Harlan; his sister-in-law Rita Christensen of Omaha; his brother-in-law Jeff (Kerri) Christensen of Schuyler; his father-in-law Donald Christensen of Walnut; his beloved five grandchildren Lane and Kyler Christensen, Camden, Easton and Everett Clements; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Jerry’s honor to Blair Fine Arts Boosters – Choir and Drama.

Services provided by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair.

#2-Campbell Aman Funeral Home

Jerome Lane Christensen, the son of John and Myrna Christensen, was born on January 24, 1960, in Harlan, Iowa. Jerry was the second of four boys. He grew up on a farm outside of Jacksonville.

Together the brothers rode dirt bikes on homemade tracks, played with cousins in the cave on their grandparent’s farm, attended church at Bethlehem Lutheran, and did lots of farm work - baling hay, painting the barn, and cleaning out the hog house. Sometimes they even got into a bit of trouble, swinging from the rafters in the corncrib or the time Jerry ditched the tractor when he lost his way harrowing a field. No matter what, Jerry kept everyone smiling.

From an early age it was evident, Jerry had inherited his Grandpa Walter’s talent for music. Jerry was known as the musician in the family. He taught himself to play guitar and sang at church and at school. In high school, he was All State Choir and was very involved in theatre. When Jerry was a senior in high school he asked Jennifer Christensen out on a date, which she recalls as “busy” – a non-stop night of movie, dinner and then bowling. That date turned into 43 years of marriage. On August 16, 1980 they were married at the First Baptist Church in Harlan. He and Jenny lived in Blair, NE while Jerry attended Dana College. There he was active in choir and theatre. In 1981, he graduated from Dana with a BS in Accounting and Business Administration.

Immediately following graduation he started working for the Danish Brotherhood, and later became President/CEO. Jerry and Jenny remained in Blair, where they raised their two children – Jacob was born in 1982 and Joni in 1984. While living in Blair, Jerry continued his passion for theatre at the Blair Community Theatre, acting and directing plays. Any free weekends, the family spent at Lakeview on Blackhawk Lake, boating, water skiing, and jet-skiing. Faith was important to Jerry. The family attended First Lutheran Church. Jerry served as a deacon, sang in the church choir, played guitar and led the praise songs before the children went to Sunday School. Devotions remained a daily constant throughout his life. In 1995, Jerry worked for Brownell-Talbot and then in 1997 he started at Assured Life Association where he was employed as Vice President until 2023. This position eventually moved Jerry and Jenny from Blair to Castle Rock, CO, where they lived for 23 years.

Jerry shared his gift of singing with everyone around him – at family gatherings, at church, at funerals and at weddings. He sang to Jenny at their wedding, and also sang at his own children’s weddings. At the annual Christensen Christmas party, Jerry would lead everyone singing carols as he played guitar.

Son, brother, husband, father and, perhaps his most cherished title was, Papa. His five grand boys Lane, Kyler, Camden, Everett and Easton were without a doubt his pride and joy. No matter the distance in miles between them, Jerry found a way to be present in their lives. Jerry and Jenny made many road trips back to Blair to be involved in their activities. When it came to his grandkids, Jerry was game for anything - from rollercoasters on mountains to bounce houses. He had a need for speed and took on any fun challenge. Jerry bought them all golf clubs and helped them learn how to golf. In the wintertime, the family would gather for skiing in Colorado. He shared his love of his Danish heritage with his family by making an aebelskiver breakfast every Christmas morning. His family meant everything to him.

Sense of humor was something Jerry had in abundance. He never failed to make those around him laugh. He was known for his one liners, and he always loved to joke around. Inventing “stall night” -- texting silly jokes to his grandson when he didn’t want to go to bed. Jerry made up stories and songs to entertain his grandkids, like this little ditty...
“We’re taking the littles to the big ball game. If they don’t enjoy it, its downright shame. We’re taking the littles to the big ball game. And if they enjoy it, it’s a grand ole thing!”

Jerry’s constant companion through all the happy and difficult times was Jenny. She loved watching him on all his adventures with his kids and grandkids. She stayed by his side always.

In honor of Jerry... laugh every day, sing songs, honk your horn for the fun of it, and when you drive through a tunnel stick your head out the window and scream.

Jerry’s voice filled churches, car rides, workplaces, and family outings with song and laughter. Jerry had a joy for life that is hard to completely capture in words, but it is held in the hearts and memories of his family who loved him so very much.

Jerry died on August 22, 2023 at his home in Castle Rock, having attained the age of 63 years 6 months 29 days. He was proceeded in death by his father John Christensen, his mother Myrna (Bladt) Christensen, and his brother Grant Christensen. Jerry is survived by his wife Jenny Christensen of Castle Rock, CO; his children: Jake (Jamie) Christensen of Blair; Joni (Matt) Clements of Blair; his brothers Scott (Cynthia) Christensen of Omaha, Michael (Emily) Christensen of Harlan; his sister-in-law Rita Christensen of Omaha; his brother-in-law Jeff (Kerri) Christensen of Schuyler; his father-in-law Donald Christensen of Walnut, IA; his beloved five grandchildren Lane and Kyler Christensen, Camden, Easton and Everett Clements; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Jerry’s honor to Blair Fine Arts Boosters – Choir & Drama. A celebration of life and luncheon will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 10:30 am at First Lutheran Church in Blair.

#3 Funeral Leaflet

In Loving Memory of Jerry Christensen

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Born January 24, 1960 Harlan, Iowa ~ Entered Into Rest August 22, 2023 Castle Rock, Colorado

Celebration of Life 10:30am Saturday, September 9, 2023 First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska. As we walked in, there was a slide show of Jerry's life, as well as a CD of Jerry singing many songs, including "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art".

Officiating: Pastor Glen Thomas. Band Members: Melody Dubon, Judy Brehm, Mike Frederickson, V. Krysl. Musical Selections: "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art"

Final Resting Place: Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska

Campbell Aman Funeral Home in service to the family.

~~~Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~ FindaGrave #258991829