Gordon Christensen

Walter Gordon Christensen of rural Hannaford, ND, died Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

He was born on a farm NW of Hannaford on June 5, 1918, to Axel J. and Alma (Helmer) Christensen, and farmed in the area all his adult life. He attended schools in Hannaford, ND, and was confirmed in the Union Lutheran Church of rural Hannaford. He married Lucy Reinstra VanBruggen in Valley City on September 3, 1966, and welcomed her five children into his life. The couple continued to live on a farm in the Hannaford area, spending winters in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, until Lucy's death in 2003. While in New Mexico, Gordon helped found the Desert Springs Lutheran Church.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, brothers Ole and Vernon of Rolla, MO, brother Dale of Cooperstown, ND, sister Virginia of Chicago, IL.

He is survived by his sister June Knutson of Flandreau, SD; sister-in-law Rose Christensen of Rogers, ND; several nieces: Joy (Don) Chamley of Egan, SD; Marie Keese of Lincoln, NE; Karen Knutson of St. Cloud, MN; Kathy Joyce of Steele, ND; nephew Frank (Laurie) Christensen of Courtenay, ND; Step-children: Albert (Bonnie) VanBruggen of Park River, ND; Martha Caouette of Blaine, MN; Helen heney of Cedar Rapids, IA; Marie (Earl) Fjelstad of Aberdeen, SD; MaryAnn (Dale) Louis of Colorado and Florida; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Union Lutheran Church in rural Hannaford on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Union Church Cemetery Fund.