Ernest Christensen

Ernie Christensen was born on January 28, 1942, to parents Carl and Alice Christensen in Borden, on a winter day so mild that the car could be driven. The telephone had just been hooked up on the farm, so his siblings Jo Ann, Carl and Karen were able to place a call to the hospital to sing “Ten Little Fingers, Ten Little Toes.”

Ernie attended Thistledale, a one room country school and then went to Borden for high school.At the University of Saskatchewan, Ernie earned his B. Ed and B.Sc. His teaching career took him to schools in Livelong and Colonsay, and to King George and Wildwood Schools in Saskatoon. While at summer school, Ernie and Dorille met at a blood donor drive on campus and married in 1970. With sons, Errin and Bryce, the family enjoyed summers at the Pike Lake Cabin and took family trips to Disneyland and Hawaii and travelled to BC by train.

Following retirement, Ernie joined the Saskatoon Antique Auto Club. Together he and Dorille enjoyed car tours within the province. With the red 1963 Comet Convertible, they also attended Show and Shine events. The grandkids loved getting rides in it.

Ernie volunteered at the Airport with the Airport Ambassadors and at the Western DevelopmentMuseum with the Pioneer Threshermen. There, he assisted in refurbishing old machinery, giving tours to different groups or giving threshing demonstrations. Later, he spent time at the Curatorial Centre where he became part of a group that restored cars or put together Model T conversions that farmers at the time had made to suit their needs on the farm.

Ernie is survived by Dorille, his wife of 55 years, sons Errin and Bryce (Loida), grandchildren, Jesse, Cassie, Savannah, Camelia, Rebecca, and Isaiah and great-grandchildren, Thomas and Korra, brother, Carl and sister, Karen (Bud Kam). Ernie was pre-deceased by parents Carl and Alice, sister Jo-Ann, brother-in-law, Marv Stene and sister-in-law Helga Christensen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or the WDM.

The family is grateful to the staff of Parkridge Centre for the excellent care they gave Ernie during his brief stay there. Many thanks also to our caring neighbours and to the Respite Team; Charlene, Andrea, Susan and Lynn.