Bruce M Christensen

Memorial Services for Bruce M. Christensen will be conducted from the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, January 9, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Paul Bauman, officiating. Private family interment will be in the Minden Cemetery in Minden, Nebraska prior to the memorial service.

Bruce Maxon Christensen, 67 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Bruce was born May 19, 1941 at Minden, Nebraska to Arlo and Alberta (Maxon) Christensen. Bruce attended Minden Public Schools and graduated in 1959. He was a member of a state championship basketball team and was named as one of the top 500 high school basketball players nationwide in 1958 and 1959. He was also a state champion in the Class B shot put and a member of the football team. He attended and graduated from Kearney State College in 1962 with a degree in education.

Following his graduation, Bruce began his teaching and coaching career at Naponee, Nebraska. From there, he coached at Juniata, Geneva, and Holdrege and sported one of the highest winning percentages in Class B football in Nebraska. He entered into a partnership with Larry Hanson at The Country Squire until 1982 when he returned to the classroom in Holdrege. He retired in 2000.

Bruce had numerous hobbies and interests. He was one of the early leaders of the Holdrege Optimist football program. Bruce was a member of the Elks Club, was a past Director of the Holdrege Chamber of Commerce and served as an Ambassador. He was a member of the Holdrege Country Club, where he frequently played rounds of golf with his family and friends. He was a member of the Heartland Cruisers car club. Bruce was a leader within his profession, serving as President of the Holdrege Education Association and served on the Retirement Committee for the Nebraska State Education Association. He was honored by the Nebraska Driver and Safety Education Association as Teacher of the Year in 1995. He also served as that organization's President for one year. Bruce also taught at the University of Nebraska at Kearney's Safety Center for many years.

He married Milrae Petersen on December 29, 1961. They were blessed with two children: Brent Alan and Jenna Simeon. Later in life, his grandchildren were the highlight of his life: watching and playing golf with granddaughter, Jordan, playing cribbage and watching Cash Cab with grandson, Chase, and following granddaughter, Meredith's whirlwind of activities. Bruce was a man of quiet faith. He was baptized at the age of 12 at the First Christian Church in Minden. From his baptism, he passed his faith on to his children. He and his wife attended Trinity Evangelical Free Church for the past 24 years.

His survivors include his wife, Milrae of Holdrege; son, Brent Christensen of Chappell and his special friend, Lisa Rolik and her children: Elizabeth and Katharine Park all of Lincoln, Nebraska; daughter, Jenna Christensen of Grand Island, Nebraska and her special friend, Anthony Perales of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren: Jordan, Chase and Meredith of Holdrege; one brother, Buck Christensen and his wife, Sharen of Minden; one sister, Dixie Beck and her husband, Tim of Minden; brother-in-law, Jim Petersen and his wife, Sue of Kearney, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Pam Petersen and her husband, Jon of Hastings, Nebraska and special friends, Stephanie and Andy Klein also of Holdrege. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Camille and a nephew, Matthew.

Bruce will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Thursday, January 8, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and kindly suggested to the Nebraska Children's Home.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.