She is survived by her son, Jack J. Christensen, Jr., and wife, Maria S. Carrisalez Christensen of San Antonio, TX, and daughter, June M. Gentine and son-in-law, Richard D. Gentine of Seguin, TX, granddaughters, Kathryn M. Villarreal and husband, Ruben of New Braunfels, TX., and Teresa D. Rodriguez and husband, Arturo of San Antonio, TX, grandson, Christensen Ziebell and wife, Brandi of Phenix City, AL, step-granddaughters, Kimberly L. Obleas of Schertz, TX., and Carrie A. Bradfield and husband, George of Cibolo, TX, eight great-granddaughters, and three great-grandsons. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Jack J. Christensen, Sr., grandson, Jack Antonio Christensen, and infant great-grandson, Joaquin Anthony Christensen.
Gladys was born in Crocketts Bluff, Arkansas to William P. and Sadie M. Luebke, and grew up in Stuttgart with her two sisters, Vernice and Willie, and one brother, Harold “Buddy”. Gladys was an athlete, lettering in high school basketball and she played on the girl’s softball team as well. Her father never missed one of her games which made her really proud. She was also on a tennis team when she moved to Memphis, TN. She and her older sister, Vernice, were so close in age that they began school at the same time and continued on to graduate from the Baptist Junior College in Conway, AR. Vernice married after graduation, but Gladys was not ready to settle down so she decided to attend Draughn’s Business College in Memphis, TN. After business college she worked as a secretary for Sears & Roebuck, Co. It was during that time that Gladys met Jack Christensen. He had just won the Golden Gloves Welterweight Championship in Memphis so guess she was impressed a little. They married right before WWII.
As a military spouse, Gladys had an opportunity to see the world. The first move from Memphis was to Bitburg AB, Germany, where the family was able to travel and visit many other European countries, France, England, Italy, Holland, Luxemburg…any country they were allowed to enter at the end of the war and could reach by automobile. The family moved 13 times while the children were growing up. After Europe they returned to Tinker AFB, OK, and most of their assignments were as close to the family in Stuttgart and Memphis as possible.
Gladys was finally able to get a permanent position as secretary at Jack’s last assignment, Gunter Air Force Station, AL, and then she was promoted to a position at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL. A few years after they had both retired the decided to move close to their children so they found a home in New Braunfels, TX, where they enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren, making pets of the deer, and other wildlife in the neighborhood, dancing at the Wurstfest, having visits from family and the many friends they had made during their travels. They also took road trips back home to Memphis, Stuttgart and vacation destinations for family gatherings, weddings, etc. They were always ready for an adventure and everybody was always happy to see Jack and Gladys.
Gladys never lost her wander lust. She and Jack would attend every reunion of the Flying Tigers held all over the US. They would take canoe and camping trips and she saw England and Ireland with a group of friends. She visited her granddaughter, a Marine spouse, and family wherever they were stationed: California, Florida, Hawaii, Virginia. Not to mention the cruises she took with her mother, Sadie.
Visitation will begin 12:00 noon Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Zoeller Funeral Home followed by a chapel Service to begin at 1:00 PM. Gladys will be interred with her husband, SMSgt. Jack J. Christensen, Sr., at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
