Ronald Allen Christensen

Marshall: Ronald Christensen, age 78 of Marshal, passed away at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, February 15th at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley. Visitation will be 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service followed by a Rosary service on Friday at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Ronald Allen was born on February 24, 1935 in Fonda, Iowa to Alvin and Gladys (Finstad) Christensen. He was baptized, received his First Communion and was confirmed at St. Clotilde Catholic Church. On January 3, 1959, Ron was united in marriage at Green Valley to Elizabeth Vierstrate. They lived in Pipestone, rural Marshall and for the last 44 years, in Green Valley. Ron was employed at Schwans Sales Enterprises for 31 years, retiring in 2002. The love of his life was spending quality time with his family. Those memories will be cherished for a lifetime by his family. Ron’s other enjoyments included playing cards, bingo and horseshoes, and attending auctions.  He was also a huge fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Ron is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth of Green Valley; four children, Gloria Lavoie of Green Valley, Diane (Ken) Morris of Niota, IL, Anita (Terry) Coens of Green Valley and Brian (Jodi) Christensen of Slayton, MN; niece, Donna (Brad) St. Aubin of Cottonwood; grandchildren, Preston and Dustin Lavoie, Brandon (Shelby) and Darren Coens, Jason (Danielle) Nielsen, Melissa (Ruben) Medina, Matthew Nielsen, Austin, Adam and Shelby Christensen; great grandchildren, Chet Nielsen, Oceana Nielsen and Christina Medina; and great nephews, Brady and Cody St. Aubin; siblings, Rodney Christensen of Sioux Falls, SD, Mary Ann (Bud) Monsrud of Redwood Falls and Roger Christensen of Redwood Falls; also many other relatives and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Weston Lavoie; and sister-in-law, JoAnn Christensen. Blessed be his memory. Please designate memorials to Parkinsons Research