Allen Christensen

Allen P. Christensen, 79, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Thursday, September 23, 2010, at Colonial Manor in Anita, Iowa.

Allen was born, the oldest of four children, on September 26, 1930, the son of Lars and Belle (Barber) Christensen in Anita, Iowa. He lived in Anita all his life and left Anita only long enough to serve in the United States Army.

He attended Anita schools until he began helping his father on the farm. He continued farming until reporting to Active Duty in the Korean Conflict from 1952 through 1954. Allen's squad headed to Korea on Christmas Day 1952 and left Korea on Christmas Day 1953. When Allen returned from Korea he became a self-employed truck driver hauling livestock and grain. He was self-employed until the early 1970s at which time he began employment with Faga Implement as a truck driver and later retried from there.

Allen was united in marriage to Ruby (Harrison) Watson on May 28, 1959, in Lewis, Iowa, and a daughter, Janet, was born to this union. Allen and Ruby celebrated 50 years of marriage together before her passing on July 28, 2009.

He was a member of the Anita American Legion Post #210. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing pool and woodworking crafts. Allen also cherished the time spent with his family and many friends.

He is survived by his sons, Richard (Cheryl) Watson of Anita, and Rodney (Barb) Watson of Anita; his daughter, Janet (Marty) Mardesen of Anita; his grandchildren, Scott (Becky) Watson, Sarah Watson, Amy (Charles) Bryant, Jill (Tony) Gray, Lisa Munsey, Jennifer (Mike) Yerton, Shaun (Jeanette) Watson, April Watson, Christine (Jason) Huntrods, Kelly (Derek) Gurney, Jennifer (Humberto) Figueroa, Ryan (Cathy) Mardesen and Ehren (and friend Crystal Namanny) Mardesen; numerous great-grandchildren; his sister, Nona Kopp of Anita, Iowa; his brother, Warren (Peggy) Christensen of Princeton, Missouri; his sister, Nyla Davis (and friend Dennis Kruse) of Lake City, Iowa; other relatives and friends.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Lars and Belle Christensen; his sons, Roger, Robert and Ronald Watson; his daughter-in-law, Jane Watson; and his brothers-in-law George Kopp and Phil Davis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa.

Visitation will be held Monday, September 27, 2010, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. also at Hockenberry Family Care in Anita.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita. Following services at the cemetery the family invites you to join them for lunch at the Anita Community Center.

Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.