Dale Christensen

Dale M. Christensen, 83, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Dale Melten Christensen was born in rural Walnut on October 25, 1923, the son of Henry and Johanna Caroline (Olsen) Christensen. He graduated from Walnut High School in 1941. He worked with his father until he entered the Army in 1945, serving in World War II.

Dale was married to Lucille Helen Abel in Atlantic, Iowa on July 10, 1945. After returning from the service in 1946, he began farming near Marne, and moved around the rural Atlantic area until retiring in 1985. After retirement he and Lucille moved to their current home in Atlantic.

Dale enjoyed fishing, and gardening. His pride and joy was taking care of his yard. He was a member of the VFW Post #422, the AmVets and the American Legion in Walnut. Dale was also a member of the Monroe Methodist Church.

Dale is survived by his wife, Lucille; son, Dennis Christensen and his wife, Sue of Amarillo, Texas; daughter, Patricia Sue McConnelee and her husband, Doug of Dunkerton, Iowa; grandchildren, Brian McConnelee and his friend, Malinda McNamee of Dunkerton, Iowa, and Brandon McConnelee and his wife, Tiffany of Fairbank, Iowa; step-grandchildren, Scott McConnelee and Luanne Stewart; great granddaughter, Alexis Marie McConnelee of Fairbank, Iowa; brother, Dallas Christensen of Bellevue, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Lorene Sieck of Walnut, Iowa; and brother-in-laws, Howard Abel and his wife, Addilee of Wheatland, Missouri and Don Abel and his wife, Inez of Walnut, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Johanna Christensen, brothers, Floyd and Delbert; sister, Ellen Perry; brother-in-law, Paul Abel; and sister-in-law, Maxine Baldwin.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 21, 2007, in the Hockenberry Family Care Chapel in Atlantic.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2007, at the funeral home, with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements.