Funeral services for Ronald Christensen, of New Richland, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Community Lutheran Church in Geneva. The Rev. Carrie McElfresh will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Ellendale and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Geneva Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Ellendale veterans group.

Ronald died Monday evening surrounded by his family, Aug. 1, 2011, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud. He was 78 years of age. He was born April 7, 1933, in Albert Lea, the son of Hans and Carol Christensen.

Ronald graduated from Ellendale-Geneva High School in 1951 and the University of Minnesota. He was united in marriage to Joanne Vangen on June 13, 1954, at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. He worked in Albert Lea at Queens/Almco in engineering for six years.

Ron made his home in Geneva for many years and served as mayor and assistant fire chief. He was the postmaster in the Geneva Post Office for more than 30 years. Ron started and coached little league in Ellendale for several years.

Ronald served his country in the United States Marine Corps and attained the rank of sergeant. He spent his summers at their home on Round Lake near Garrison and moved there permanently in 2006. He wintered in Tropic Star Resort, Pharr, Texas, the last eight years.

Ronald is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joanne; daughters: Pam (Rick) Cook of Hastings and Rhonda (Derike) Shelton of Fairmont; sons: Scott (Cheri) Christensen of Albert Lea, Steve (Rhonda) Christensen of Ellendale and Jeff (Robin) Christensen of New Richland. There are 13 grandchildren: Dani (Travis) Johnson and their children: Kaitlyn, Emma and Ava; Chris (Kristina) Cook and their daughter, Ellie; Jordan (Jackie) Cook, Tiffany Shelton, Cade Shelton, Carrisa (Justin) Mika and their children: Claire and Carson; Tessa Christensen, Jenna Christensen, Kaleb (Erin) Christensen, Cody (Jenny) Christensen, Kelsey Christensen, Matt Christensen and Nick Christensen and three on the way. One brother survives, Paul Christensen of Geneva; sisters: Iris (Stan) Jensen of Lakeville and Lois (Jim) Plunkett of Geneva. Sisters-in-law include Sandra Vangen of White Bear Lake, Gerry Vangen of Ellendale and Kathleen Glynn of Ellendale, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Hans and Carol Christensen; mother and father-in-law: Wanda and Carlyle Vangen; brothers-in-law: Kenny and Odean Vangen.