Edward Warren Christensen

Edward Warren Christensen, 87, died March 25th, 2021, peacefully at home surrounded by close friends and family. He is survived by his four daughters, Liz (husband, Richard Meese), Jennifer (partner, Dan Macari), Karen, and Laura; his brothers Ken (wife, Gloria) and Steve; many nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Ed was born in Omaha, Nebraska November 1, 1933 to Louis and Irene Christensen. He was raised in Harlan, Iowa, attended Harlan schools and was a one-time Spelling Bee Champion (though memories vary whether this was a state or regional title). After beginning College at the University of Iowa, Ed moved to New York City, where his first daughter Liz was born in 1953 to Ed and his then wife, Carole (nee Daubenberger). The rest of the 1950’s saw Ed through a divorce, the completion of medical school, and even a Gilbert and Sullivan community theater production in New York City.

After graduating from Columbia University Medical School, Ed began a year-long residency at Kings County hospital in New York City. This is where he met the love of his life, his future wife Maureen (nee Rolston), who was working in the same hospital, as a registered nurse.

After residency, Ed began his active military service in the Army in 1962 and was stationed in Korea. He was trained as a flight surgeon and continued his OB/GYN training. In furtherance of their growing relationship, Maureen worked in Korea with Catholic missionaries and the two continued to see each other. Upon returning to the states, Ed was stationed at various army bases and he and Maureen were married on February 6, 1965. Their daughter Jennifer was born in 1967 in Tacoma, WA and Karen followed in 1969 in Frankfurt, Germany. While stationed at Ft. Hood in Killeen, TX, Dr. Christensen was sent to Managua, Nicaragua to assist victims of the 1972 earthquake which killed thousands.

In 1973 Ed left active duty and joined the reserves, moving his family to San Angelo TX where his daughter Laura was born the following year. Dr. Christensen first joined an existing medical practice and then entered private practice working with Shannon hospital delivering countless babies in San Angelo and surrounding communities. While developing his private practice, Ed hired Joy Gallion, an OB tech from Shannon Hospital as his office nurse. Along with Maureen, who was taking care of the bookkeeping and Ruby Metzger who served as receptionist, Joy and and Dr. Christensen built a practice that would last more than 2 and half decades. When asked, Dr. Christensen would frequently refer to the women who ran his office as a ‘Joy and a Jewel.’

Ed retired from the army reserves in 1993, having achieved the rank of Colonel and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal during his years of service.

Dr. Christensen was instrumental in establishing the Shannon Clinic as well as Shannon Hospital’s Women’s and Children’s Center. He was known for his distinctive yellow lab coats and perpetually wrinkled rain coat, and loved by patients, while frequently striking fear into the hearts of the dedicated and talented nurses with whom he worked. In 1998 Ed lost his beloved wife, Maureen and retired from medicine two years later in 2000.

Although not ever becoming a Church member, Ed was known, in his own words, as a “longtime Catholic supporter and sympathizer,” and was intimately involved in Holy Angels Catholic Church and Angelo Catholic Schools, which his daughters attended. Ed sang in the Church choir for years and was an active participant at the annual festival, serving on the sausage committee.

In addition to his work and family, Ed had a wonderful group of friends and an active social life , playing in a weekly poker game for many years, hunting quail and dove, fishing, and attending ASU football games. He was a great lover of dogs and was never without at least one boxer throughout his time in San Angelo. He was a lifelong supporter of the arts and frequently attended theatrical offerings at ASU and Angelo Civic Theatre, as well as performances of the local ballet and symphony. He even played the irascible “Mr Bumble” in Angelo Civic Theatre’s 1996 Production of ‘Oliver.’

In his retirement, Ed enjoyed travelling. He visited Italy for a time with longtime friend and companion, Anne Reeb. He traveled each summer, enjoying long road trips with his daughter Jennifer, criss-crossing the country to visit family and points of interest. He also enjoyed cruising to the Carribean, Mexico, Alaska, and the Panama Canal.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the nursing staff on the 5th floor of Shannon Hospital, and Solaris Hospice for their professionalism, compassion, and care of our father. We also are eternally grateful for the strong network of support, friendships, and love built by our father throughout his life, with whom we mourn his loss.

Services for Ed Christensen are being conducted by Johnson’s Funeral Home. Formal visitation is Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 5-7 p.m. at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Graveside ceremony is Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 10 a.m. at Lawnhaven Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Christensen, Richard Funk, Randy Rountree, Layne Turner, Randall Case, and Dan Macari.

For those who would like to honor Ed through a charitable donation, please consider Meals for the Elderly, Cassie’s Place dog rescue, or any organization keeping music and theater alive in the community.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com