Howard Christensen

HOWARD MILTON CHRISTENSEN Howard M. Christensen, 76, of rural Atlantic died unexpectedly at the Cass County Memorial Hospital on October 18, 2008. Howard was born the son of Alfred J. and Clara L. Christensen September 6, 1932 in rural Audubon County in Iowa. He grew up attending Audubon and Shelby Country Schools and Elkhorn High School. He was married to Shirley Kite in Walnut, Iowa on September 5, 1959. Howard served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He spent three years in Liberia, Africa working for Raymond International Concrete and Pile Works, building roads. He returned to Atlantic working in excavation, and eventually purchasing the business to work for himself. He was a member of ACMOC (Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owner Club), The Atlantic Lions Club, The Danish Immigrant Museum, The American Legion and he attended Buck Creek United Methodist Church. He enjoyed his grandchildren, camping, Caterpillars, books, auctions and polka music. Howard will be remembered by his family as a loving father and husband and "The Best Grandpa in The World.&" Members of the Atlantic area will remember Howard for digging a lot of the basements in the area and for the grading work he did on Interstate 80 when it was built. He is survived by his wife Shirley; his son Rodney Christensen and wife Lori of Dunlap, IA and their family, Samantha of Sioux City, IA and Stephanie of Council Bluffs, IA and Sidney at home; his daughter Suzette Christensen and her son Zachary of Plano, TX and her daughter Ashley of Omaha, NE; his sister Carol Voss and husband Ron of Redding, CA; brother Allen Christensen of Sacramento, CA; one brother-in-law Lanny H. Kite and wife Jane of Marne, IA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Howard was preceded in death by a grandson, Nicholas Howard Christensen; his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bertha and Alva Kite; a sister and brother-in-law, Anna Mae and John Cornelius; a brother-in-law and wife, Dale and Joanne Kite; and a nephew Alan Kite.Funeral InformationA funeral service will be held at 10:30 A. M. on Wednesday, October 22 in the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. Pastor Melodee Carstens of Buck Creek United Methodist Church of rural Atlantic will officiate. There will be a prayer service at 6:00 Tuesday evening, October 21, followed by the family meeting with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. The family requests memorials may be designated to the Danish Immigrant Museum and the Atlantic Lion"s Club.