James Christensen, 86, Ellendale

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 12, 2005

The memorial service for James &8221;Jim&8220; Howard Christensen will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at the United Methodist Church, Ellendale. The Rev. Gary Liker will officiate. Burial will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Ellendale. Visitation with the family will be one hour before the service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Ellendale Veterans’ organizations.

Jim died on Monday, Oct. 10, 2005, at the

Albert Lea Medical Center. He was 86 years old.

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Jim was born in Wells on May 28, 1919, the son of John Peter and Mabel (Neilsen) Christensen. He attended rural school near Wells. During World War II he served with the United States Army from 1942 to 1945 with a rank of Tech. Fifth Grade.

On Jan. 10, 1946, he was united in marriage with Gladys Wegner. They were members of First Lutheran Church in Ellendale where Jim had been active as an elder, deacon, and on the church council. They farmed near Alden, Freeborn and Ellendale. Jim had also worked at Festal Canning Company and OMC in Owatonna and the Grain Mill, Gulf Chemical and as constable in Ellendale.

Gladys preceded Jim in death on Oct. 23, 1985.

On Dec. 6, 1986, Jim was united in marriage with Wanda Fischer. They are members of

the United Methodist Church in Ellendale where he had been a choir member.

Jim had been a member of the VFW and enjoyed vegetable gardening and woodworking.

Jim is survived by his wife, Wanda of Ellendale; two children: John (Luanne) Christensen of St. Paul, and Cathy Hadler of Dover, Minn.; three grandchildren: Ann Christensen of Roseville, Minn., Chad (Leah) Hadler of Rochester, and Steven (Jennifer) Hadler of New Brighton, Minn.; two great-grandchildren: Conner and Adrion Hadler of New Brighton; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gladys, in 1985; infant daughter, Barbara; son-in-law, Michael Hadler; and two sisters: Thora Garver and Ruby Schroeder.