Lester Christensen

Former Holstein resident, Lester O. 'Les' Christensen, 95, of Creston, Iowa, died Monday, June 24, 2002 at Creston Nursing & Rehab Center, Creston, Iowa.

Services will be Thursday, June 27, 2002; 1:00 P.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel with Rev. Jim Miller officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska.

Lester O. 'Les' Christensen was born January 14, 1907 in the Territory of Oklahoma near Shawnee to Andrew R. & Dora (Jacobsen) Christensen, the 3rd of 7 siblings. Oklahoma became a state, November 16th of that same year. At the age of two, he moved with his family to the Holstein, Nebraska area where he spent the majority of his life. In 1923, at the age of 16, he became a member of the United Evangelical Church in Holstein, now Grace United Methodist Church. At the time of his death, he was the oldest member of the congregation, having been a member for 79 years. In 1924, he graduated from Holstein High School. In addition to doing other work in the community, he gradually became engaged in farming. On May 19, 1929, he married Florence Esther Austin of Juniata, Nebraska at the First Methodist Church in Hastings, Nebraska. She preceded him in death in 1991. They spent their entire married life of 62 years in the Holstein community, actively involved together in farming until approximately 1980. At that time, they built a home in Holstein, Nebraska. He took an active part in the community. Throughout the years he would serve on the Holstein School Board and as a trustee of Grace United Methodist Church. He helped to chair the church's building committee when the church was remodeled and its addition was built in the early 1960's. He served as Sunday School Superintendent in the late 1940's. In his later farming years, he served on the elevator boards in both Holstein and Juniata, Nebraska. In the 1980's he enjoyed membership in the Holstein Lions Club. After the death of Florence, he remained in Holstein until March of 1994 when he moved to Orchard Park in Lincoln, Nebraska for 5 ½ years before going to a nursing home in Creston, Iowa.

Lester O. 'Les' Christensen was preceded in death by his parents, all of his brothers and sisters, Vinita, Roy, Etta, Edna, Velda and Glenn.

Survivors include,
Son & Daughter-in-law: 1 Bob & Loy Christensen - Creston, IA
Daughter & Son-in-law: 1 Lois & Frank Mills - Lincoln, NE
7 Grandchildren & Spouse: Tammy Christensen
Crystal & Bruce Musmaker
Lynne & Dr. Steve Reeves
Debby & John Walter
Franklin Lester Mills
Jeffrey & Dawn Mills
Marlys & Dr. Scott O'Nele
14 Great Grandchildren: Courtney, Jessica & Curtis Seitz
Kendra & Kayla Musmaker
Matthew & David Reeves
Isaac & Alexander Walter
Stephen Mills
Brandon & Morgan Mills
Matthew & Lindsey O'Nele
2 Sisters-in-law: Helen Christensen - Hastings, NE
Agnes Chrisinger - Mt. Pleasant, IA
Numerous Nieces & Nephews

Memorial may be given to Grace United Methodist Church-Holstein, NE
Or Holstein Rescue Squad