Gordon E. Christensen

Gordon E. Christensen, 90, of Ogden, Iowa passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Rowley Masonic Home in Perry.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 9, 2011, at the Community United Methodist Church in Ogden. Rev. Paul Evans will officiate. Following services Gordon's body will be cremated. Private family burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Carson - Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden.

Gordon Enevold Christensen was born July 4, 1920 in Ogden to Chris Enevold Christensen and Ellen Gertrude Rockwell Christensen.

He graduated from Ogden High School in 1939 and began farming with his father.

He married Beverly Marie Munson on May 29, 1943 and raised two children, Mary Kathleen and Daryl Keith on the family farm south of Ogden. In 1960 Gordon and Beverly, together with Warren and Ruth Christensen built the Spinning Wheels Roller Rink in Ogden, which they owned for many years and is still in operation today.
In 1965 he and Beverly welcomed a foreign exchange student, Lofty Horn, into their home for the school year. In 1970, they took their first big vacation to visit Lofty at his home in South Africa. They were also foster parents to Bill and Gloria Marker.

After Beverly's passing in 1979, Gordon married Marie Lucille Benson Hansen. They were married in 1981. Gordon and Lucille traveled extensively in their 30 years of marriage and enjoyed the last 15 years wintering in Venice, Florida. After living more than 90 years on the family farm, he and Lucille moved in October of 2010 to the Rowley Apartments in Perry.

He was active in the poultry industry in the 1970's and 80's. He was also the president of the Iowa Egg Council. One of his greatest joys every year was celebrating his 4th of July birthday with a breakfast/brunch for family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Beverly, brother Paul and foster son Bill Marker.

He is survived by his wife Lucille, daughter Kathy (Jim) Wittersheim; son Daryl (Cindy) Christensen; Grandsons Eric (Peggy) Wittersheim, Bryan (Kim) Wittersheim; Chris (Amanda) Christensen and Carl Christensen; Great Grandaughers Lilly Wittersheim, Leta and Evy Christensen; foster daughter Gloria Marker Myers and her son Steele; and many step children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorials may be left to the Community United Methodist Church Elevator Fund.