Aubrey Chris Christensen Obituary (1926)

Aubrey Leigh Christensen was born February 22, 1926 in Minden, NE to Harvey and Erma Davis Christensen. He has been known as Chris by everyone except his family and those in Minden who grew up with him. He attended school in Minden through all 12 grades, and immediately after graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Army Air Force, and spent the next couple of years as a turret gunner on a bomber. He served in the Pacific Theater, being stationed in the Philipines and Okinawah. After he was honorably discharged, he relaxed at home until he found satisfactory employment. When he was questioned by his dad about getting a job, Chris told him he wanted a job where he could make three dollars an hour. His dad was not sure he could find one for that wage, but he did. For many years he worked on construction crews at several sites in a wide variety of places. A long time employer was Claussen, Olson and Benner Construction. With them, Chris helped build the dam which is known as Lovewell Lake in northern Kansas. Chris married Donna Garber and they had two children, Roberta and Alan. While he was still employed in construction work, Chris' family lived in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. They finally settled in Superior, and Chris was employed at Garber Produce, by his father-in-law, Russell. In that employment, he drove a truck, picking up eggs in the towns surrounding Superior. He has been a resident here since 1958. He and Donna divorced in 1972. . In 1986 he became reacquainted with Donna Martin, a woman he had dated in the early 50s, in Oxford, NE. She was living with a crippled cousin in Oberlin KS at the time. She had been widowed about four years previously. They were married in 1988 and have lived in their home on Second Street since that time. Chris was retired by the State of Nebraska Department of Roads in October 1996, and spent time hunting, fishing and visiting relatives in the years following. He developed some serious health concerns a few years ago, and has struggled to continue pleasurable activity in spite of the afflictions which sought to destroy his health and activity. The past few years, Chris has not been able to participate in many of the endeavors he loved, like hunting and fishing. He kept hunting dogs until his endurance was depleted where he could no longer go hunting. Within the last year, Chris was able to take part in only a few activities. He loved going to church, when able, and enjoyed playing cards with friends. He and his wife played at least two games of rummy a day, and he followed sports activities faithfully through the newpapers and television. He loved football and his favorite team was the Huskers. Lately, all activity was extremely stressful. Chris entered the hospital in Superior on June 29 with breathing problems, and was there until his death at 12:30 a.m. July 10. He will be