Lyle E. Christensen

Lyle E. Christensen was born June 25, 1935 in Wahoo and grew up on the family farm. His parents, Ernest and Gladius (Robbins) Christensen, instilled in Lyle a great love for God and family, and a deep respect for the land. Farming was Lyle's lifelong passion. He loved everything about the farm and, when the growing season ended, and the harvesting was done, Lyle kept himself busy at the sale barn where he worked the livestock and his wife, Velva, prepared and served meals. Lyle spent his days for 19 years working at John Deere while spending his evenings and weekends running the farm. As his grandchildren were growing up next door, Lyle often gave them rides on the tractor. He reveled in their accomplishments and took pride in their academic successes. Even in his final days, Lyle loved hearing the three of them sing, acapella, the great hymns of faith that he cherished. Lyle attended District 70 school through the 8th grade, as did three other generations of his family, and graduated from Wahoo High School. On November 19, 1960, Lyle married Velva Hoffman at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Cedar Bluffs. Together they often tripped the light fantastic, gracing the dance floor with accomplished Polka routines and Square Dancing. Lyle's favorite outdoor activity was fishing. He and Velva spent almost every weekend at their home at Wolf Lakes near Cedar Bluffs. His church was a very special place to Lyle. He worshiped regularly there and, for many years, helped Velva to teach Sunday School. Among other church duties, Lyle served on the church board several times. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Velva Christensen of Wahoo; daughters Denise (Robert Williams) Christensen of Schuyler, Karla (Craig) Curran of Wahoo; grandchildren Eric Curran of Wahoo, Erin (Trev) Fiedler of Sturgis, SD, Michaela Curran of Elkhorn; and sister Lois (Ron) Hardy of Tucson, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wahoo Fire and Rescue, or American Heart Association. Casket Bearers are Eric Curran, Trev Fiedler, Robert Alm, Dan Spicka, Steve Vrana, and John Virgl.