Vincent Lane Christenson, age 77, of Pontiac, Mich., died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at North Oakland Medical Center in Pontiac.

Vincent was born July 8, 1927, to Clarence and Ingo (Gilbertson) Christenson. He attended Freeborn school, graduating in 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and on July 25,1945, he began serving his country at the U.S. Navel Training center at Great Lakes, Ill.

He served on the U.S.S. Bunker Hill. After his tour of duty, Vincent returned to Minnesota and enrolled at the Austin Jr. College in 1948 in the pre-engineering program. Upon graduation from Austin, Vincent moved to Michigan and attended the General Motors Institute. He graduated in 1953, receiving a diploma in the four-year Cooperative Engineering Program. He began working for General Motors at the Fisher Body division as a design engineer. He worked for General Motors for 36 years retiring in 1989.

Vincent enjoyed traveling, camping and coming home for family events. He was a member of the Freeborn American Legion for more than 50 years.

He is survived by two sisters, Joyce and her husband, Lynn Pack, of North Hollywood, Calif., and Betty and her husband, Dean Brunstad, of Grants Pass, Ore.; two brothers, Cleon and his wife, Eleanor Christenson, of Freeborn and Duane Christenson of Freeborn. Also surviving are eight nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, La Vae and her husband, Jerry Schultz, of Grants Pass, Ore.; and one niece, Susan Hermson, of California.

A memorial service will be held later this spring. Vincent was a very kind, caring, quiet man and will be

greatly missed by his family.