Wesley A Christensen

Memorial Services for Wesley A. Christensen will be conducted from the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Friday, December 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Dave Irwin officiating. Inurnment will be in the Orleans Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Harold Morin American Legion Post #184 of Orleans in conjunction with the U.S. Army National Guards Military Honors Team.

Wesley Axel Christensen, 93 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska (formerly of Orleans), passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at the Harlan County Health Systems in Alma. He was born November 30, 1918 on the family farm south of Orleans in Harlan County, the fifth of thirteen children born to Holger and Emma Christine (Noren) Christensen. Wesley received his education from Harlan County School District #59. Wesley met Elma White in Sunday school. He would later marry Elma.

Following his education, Wesley was employed by Harlan County, operating a road maintainer and also worked custom thrashing with his father until he was inducted into the U.S. Army on February 22, 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was stationed in California. He was joined in California by Elma in 1942. On his first three day pass they were married in Las Vegas on June 10, 1942. They remained married for nearly 70 years. Elma accompanied him whenever possible until he was stationed in Europe. Landing in Normandy about 30 days after D-Day, Wesley would drive a jeep nearly 25,000 miles all over Europe driving an officer as they delivered orders to the front lines. Much of this was done at night without lights. Wesley received five Battle Stars and a Good Conduct Medal for his efforts. He was honorably discharged on November 12, 1945.

With the union of Wesley and Elma five children were born, raised and sent to college: Delwin, Dane, Leona, Neil and Gayle. Upon his return from WWII, Wesley and Elma began farming in Phillips County, Kansas and Nebraska. Wesley continued farming well into his 80's.

Wesley served on the Granite Township Board for 40 years and also served on the Woodruff, Kansas School Board and the Long Island /Almena Unification School Board. He was also a member of the EUB Church in Woodruff and then transferred his membership to the First United Methodist Church in Long Island, Kansas in 1969 when the two churches combined. He was also a member of the Harold Morin American Legion Post #184 in Orleans and attended the Presbyterian Church in Orleans later in his life.

Wesley's greatest contribution was the example he set for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and others through his actions of living an honest, kind and productive life devoted to family and community. For this he will always be remembered on this earth, and may his greatest rewards be in his next life.

Besides his parents, Wesley was preceded in death by six brothers: Raymond, Wayne, Lawrence, Virgil, Darrell and one in infancy; three sisters: Doris Smith, Mildred Wessel and one in infancy.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Elma of Alma; his five children: Delwin Christensen and his wife, Carol Lowery of Lawrence, Kansas, Dane Christensen and his wife, Jill of Phillipsburg, Kansas, Leona Christensen and her husband, Ernest Seibold of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Neil Christensen and his wife, Terry of Apple Valley, California, Gayle Christensen and his wife, Barbara of Elbert, Colorado; 15 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Roy Christensen of Edison, Nebraska and Don Christensen and his wife, Jean of Alma, Nebraska; one sister, Arlene Kammerer of Republican City, Nebraska; 56 nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation as the family is honoring Wesley's wish for cremation.

In Lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later time.

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

The Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans is in charge of the arrangements.