Merlyn Christensen

Merlyn L. Christensen, 69, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Saturday, July 3, 2010, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Merlyn LeRoy Christensen was born in Casey, Iowa, July 15, 1940, to Adolph L. (Ted) and Gladys V. (Grote) Christensen. The family lived in Minden and Wiota before moving to Atlantic. Merlyn graduated from the Wiota High School before entering the Navy. Following the service he returned to Atlantic. He married Donnis Lou Tanner April 2, 1983, in Atlantic.

Merlyn spent his 30 year career in broadcasting services at KJAN Radio Atlantic as Sales Manager, then as a part owner of both KJAN and KNOD. After his retirement from full time, he became more involved with KNOD in Harlan as the daily overseer.

He was a member of Nishna Hills Golf Club and the Elks Lodge, both in Atlantic.

Merlyn had an absolute love for the game of golf and played at every opportunity. He could tell a joke better than most and his quick wit gave everyone around him a reason to smile. He enjoyed the winters he and Donnis spent in Arizona avoiding the Iowa cold. He was a devoted Green Bay Packers and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. However, those teams couldn't compare to the love he held for his grandchildren as he watched them play in their own sports and his granddaughters dance in their recitals.

Surviving Merlyn are his wife, Donnis of Atlantic, IA; his son, Rod Christensen and his wife, Ruth of Atlantic, IA, their children, Misty Kepner and her husband, Brian and their son Royce of Castana, IA, and Seth and Chad Christensen of Atlantic, IA; his son, Jeff Christensen and his wife, Shelly, their children, Dylan and Tyler, all of Atlantic, IA; his step-daughter, Denise King and her husband, Alan, and their children, Sara D and Hanna Lou, all of Atlantic, IA; his sister, Mardell Richter and her husband, Larry of Atlantic, IA; his brother, Mervin Christensen and his wife, Jeanine of Wiota, IA; his sister-in-law, Rita Slankard and her husband, Jon of Carencro, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.


Preceding Merlyn in death were his parents, Adolph (Ted) and Gladys Christensen.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

The committal service will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, at the Atlantic Cemetery, prior to the memorial service.