Harlen Christenson, of Montevideo, died on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at the University of Minnesota Hospitals in Minneapolis at the age of 86. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 1:30 P.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Christopher Lieske officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday afternoon and evening with the family present from 5 - 7 P.M. at the Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.
Harlen Odean Christenson was born on September 16, 1927 on a farm in rural Montevideo to Helmer and Olga (Golden) Christenson. He was baptized at home, confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran in Montevideo and attended Montevideo Public Schools. He served in the US Army during World War II. On September 4, 1948 he was united in marriage to Ione Evangeline “Vange” Maass in Montevideo. He worked for the Minneapolis Star & Tribune as a regional representative for many years. He later managed the Fiesta City Motel in Montevideo and owned and operated a motel in Worthington, MN for several years before retiring back to Montevideo. In his retirement he worked for Anderson Funeral Home, did some cleaning work and volunteered at Luther Haven and at numerous events and occasions. He was a long-time active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and served as an usher. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW Posts in Montevideo. He enjoyed fishing and was known for how clean and orderly he liked things. He enjoyed being around people, being active and being with and visiting his family
He is survived by five children: Michael Christenson and his wife LeAnne of Valdez, AK; James Christenson and his wife Kathy of Lakeville, MN; Patricia Christenson of Coeur D’Alene, ID; Mary Lou Christenson of Hayden Lake, ID and Jon Christenson and his wife Carla of Elk River, MN; nine grandchildren: Bailey Christenson, Nikki (and Mike) Bowman, Jeni (and Daryl) McKenna, Ryan, Brendan and Daniel Christenson; Amy (and Michael) Brock; Joshua (and Tera) Hooker; and Cassie (and Zac) Kothbauer; four great grandchildren, Alexia , Caleb, Tanner and Gabriel; two step-grandchildren, Kyle Voss and Monica (and Bryce) Klein; a brother, Delaine (and Diane) Christenson of Richfield, MN; a sister, Carolyn Norwood of Cooperstown, ND; two sisters-in-law, Edyth Skelly of St. Louis Park, MN and Lois Christenson of Montevideo, as well as by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Vange in 2004; two sons: Mark and Scotte Christenson; a sister, Mary Ann in infancy; a brother, Gene Christenson and a brother-in-law, Dale Skelly.