Gary Christensen

Gareth (Gary) Paul Christensen

Gary Christensen, son of Arthur and Anna (Nielsen) Christensen, was born on his parent’s farm on August 25, 1938, in rural Jacksonville, Iowa, and peacefully passed away on September 24, 2024, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 86.

Gary was baptized at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church west of Jacksonville, Iowa, and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended country school at Jackson #2. He talked often about taking the horse to school and occasionally taking the horse not to school and doing whatever he pleased. In 1950, the Christensen family moved to their farm north of Audubon, and Gary transferred to Leroy #4, just down the hill from where he would eventually make his home. Gary graduated from Audubon High School with the class of 1956, and he loved to talk of his athletic conquests. “The older I get, the better I was”, he would always say. After a semester at Wayne State University, he returned to Audubon to join the family farming operation.

On September 6, 1959, Gary was united in marriage to Janice Rae Kallesen at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Three children, Dan, Penny, and Angie completed the family. With his dad and brother Ronnie, Gary continued to operate the farm, raising grain and livestock. He was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and served as an usher for many years. He loved taking his family to their cabin at Lake View and teaching them to water ski by throwing them in the water telling them they couldn’t get back in the boat until they were successful.

Gary and Janny were devout members of many card clubs, he was an avid bowler and golfer, and he was a very proud Hawkeye football season ticket holder. Gary had a smile on his face nearly all of the time, always laughing and making jokes, and he was happy to have a chat with anyone that crossed his path. He and Janny enjoyed traveling to California to visit Penny and Angie and their families. Gary loved the farm and working with Ronnie, son Dan, and grandson Bill, and after retiring, he spent many hours windshield farming, checking the crops multiple times a day.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Dan and Dorothy Kallesen, his brothers Niel Christensen and Lynn Christensen, his sister Judi and her husband Roger Alexander.

Gary is survived by his wife Janice, his son Dan (Sarah) Christensen of Audubon, IA. Daughter Penny (Nick) Rhodes of Malibu, CA. Daughter Angie (Jack) Coyier of Clive, IA. Grandchildren Bill (Courtney) Christensen of Audubon, IA. Beth (Josh) Woodvine of Adel, IA. Joe (Mallory Klocke) Christensen of Chicago, IL. Dusty Rhodes of Austin, TX. Jade Rhodes of Santa Cruz, CA. Dashiell Coyier and Ellis Coyier of Clive, IA. Great grandchildren Ella, Lucy, and Violet Christensen. Charlie and Henry Woodvine. Arthur Klocke and Molly Christensen. Sister-in-law Janelle Christensen of Houston, MN. Brothers Ronnie (Barb) Christensen of Ankeny, IA. Randy (Elizabeth) Christensen of Honolulu, HI. Sister-in-law Peggy Christensen of Larkspur, CO. Sister-in-law Sharon Frederiksen of Audubon, IA. And many beloved nieces and nephews.

A public visitation with the family will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon, IA.

Following the visitation, a private family graveside will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, IA, with Pastor Chris Townsend officiating.

Memorials may be directed to the Friendship Home or Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon, IA, in memory of Gary. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon is handling the arrangements for the Gary Christensen Family.