Kent Christensen

Kent A. Christensen, 49, of Ottumwa, Iowa, and formerly of Anita, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.

Kent Alan Christensen was born August 4, 1958, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Tom and Joanne (Thompson) Christensen.

He spent his childhood in Anita, attended High School in Osceola, Iowa and in 1980, graduated from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. Following his graduation, he spent a year in San Francisco, California and then returned to Iowa and taught at numerous colleges across the state. He received his Bachelors Degree from Graceland College in Lamoni and cherished the lessons he learned from people in his life every day.

He was currently teaching at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Kent had a childhood association with the Anita United Methodist Church. As an adult, he had a deep faith and studied many religious ideas.

He cared deeply for each and every student he taught. Kent influenced many lives and made it possible, regardless of what was needed, for many young people to continue their education. He supported his students both financially and emotionally.

Kent considered the "Tom-Tom" Restaurant in Ottumwa his "home away from home".

He is survived by his parents, Tom and Joanne Christensen of Anita, Iowa; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Cheri and James Miller of West Des Moines, Iowa, Charl and David Claussen of Anita, Iowa, and Camma and Barry Stott of Winterset, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Mark Miller; eight nieces and nephews, Jeff, Cecilia and Michael Miller, all of West Des Moines, Iowa, Ethan, Erin and Emily Claussen, all of Anita, Iowa, Drew and Alicia Stott of Winterset, Iowa. Kent is also survived by his uncle, Roger Christensen and his wife, Carole of Anita, Iowa; two aunts, Betty Ford and Alice Petersen, both of California; as well as many cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, Henry and Pauline Christensen and Elvin and Dorothy Thompson; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 11, 2008, a the United Methodist Church in Anita, Iowa with Pastor Bonnie Peterson officiating. A visitation with the family is scheduled for one hour prior to the service at the Anita United Methodist Church.

Committal services and interment of ashes will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Anita, Iowa, followed by fellowship and lunch in the church fellowship hall.

The family is requesting that memorials be made to Tom and Joanne Christensen for a scholarship that will be established in Kent's memory.

Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Anita is in charge of the arrangements.