John Elray Christensen

John Christensen was born March 7, 1921 in River Falls Wisconsin to Harvey and Leone Christensen and passed away March 3, 2013. He is survived by Myrtle, his wife of 68 years, sister Joan Watkins, Sister-in-law Hester Page, children Jan (Randy) Bruce, Neil (Mary) Christensen, Alan (Donna) Christensen and Grandchildren Shane Bruce, Brett Christensen, fiancée Jennifer Franklin, and Carrie Christensen.

He spent the first 16 years of his life on the family farm near River Falls where they raised wheat and assorted animals including cows and chickens. He would sing to the cows when he milked them and would later sing one of his favorite songs “Bury me out on the lone Prairie” to his children.

After losing the farm in the depression, his family moved to Washington to start over. He graduated from Highline High School where he played football.

He worked at Boeing on the B-17 program, then moved to Grayland where he worked in the woods as a lumberjack for a year. He and Myrtle moved back to Seattle where he worked for several years at Singer Sewing Machine Co. and finished his working career at Longview Fibre Co.

He loved square dancing. John and Myrtle danced for many years and made wonderful life long friends. Gardening and fishing were other favorite activities. After he retired they joined an RV Group Jet-A-bout. They took many great trips including trips to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Branson and several trips to Europe including a trip to Denmark to visit his cousins.

He was an active member of John Knox church.

The family enjoyed camping vacations at Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula and Alta Lake along with many trips to visit “the folks” in Grayland.

He was a wonderful husband and father and was a friend to many.

Remembrances can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or the cause of your choice.