Ward Christensen

Ward Jerome Christensen was born November 11, 1924, to Engvart and Emma (Hadler) Christensen on a farm near Kennebec, Iowa. When Ward was six years old the family moved from Monona County to a farm in Allen Township. Ward began his business career at an early age by walking behind a team drawn harrow ~ earning 50 cents a day. He later graduated from the University of Omaha's School of Welding and went to work for McKenny-Seabury Garage in Pisgah. Ward married Leanna Cox on August 11, 1946, in the Bethesda Lutheran Church west of Moorhead, Iowa. The couple purchased a farm in Allen Township. When Leanna's parents retired, the couple purchased their adjoining farm as well. In addition to farming, the couple owned and operated the Pisgah Blacksmith Shop and two gas stations in Pisgah. After their retirement from farming, they owned and operated Christensen Trucking for 10 years.

Ward was president of the Pisgah Reach Out Group for many years. He was very proud of Pisgah. Ward loved to rebuild late model wrecked automobiles and trucks at Christensen Service.

Ward died on Saturday, June 3, 2006, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska attaining the age of 81 years, six months, and 23 days.

Ward was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Naomi. He is survived by his wife, Leanna of Pisgah, Iowa; two daughters, Cathryn and her husband Steve Smith of Flippin, Arkansas, and Carolynn and her husband Terry Shideler of Everly, Iowa; four grandchildren, Nathan, Amy, Neal, and Marlo; two great grandchildren, Christopher and Alanna; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services
United Methodist Church
Pisgah, Iowa
Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at 10:30 am

Clergy
Rev. Jim Young

Musician
Dan Hutcheson

Soloist
Max Poe

Selections
"The Old Rugged Cross"
"The Lord's Prayer"

Honorary Pall Bearers
Charles Wallis, LeRoy Clark,
Porter Evans, Dwight Reep

Pall Bearers
Barry Christensen, Dennis Perkins,
Donnie Bothwell, Steve Smith,
Terry Shideler, Larry McWilliams

Final Resting Place
Spring Valley Cemetery
Moorhead, Iowa