Theodore Christenson

Ansel Christenson, 88, of Hoffman, passed away at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, on Saturday, May 30, 2009. Funeral services for Ansel Christenson will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 3, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman with Pastor Elaine Leone officiating. Burial will be in the Solem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Kensington. Friends may call at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman on Tuesday, June 2, from 5-8 pm; a prayer service will begin at 7:30. Visitation will resume at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to the service. Theodore Ansel Christenson was born on July 27, 1920, at home near Wendell, Grant County, Minnesota, the son of Theodore O. and Agnes (Leraas) Christenson. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wendell. He attended rural school through the eighth grade and farmed with his father. Ansel enjoyed training and working with the horses which were a big part of farming. During the summer months, he would play ball and was part of the local saddle club. In 1942, Ansel entered the U.S. Army, serving during WW II. Although the Cavalry was his preference, he was assigned as a truck driver, which he enjoyed because trucks always fascinated him. He was sent overseas, landing in France and then fought in Germany. He was grateful to have survived the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the States, and after his discharge returned home to the farm. Ansel and Doris R. Stahl were married on November 22, 1952, in the Spruce Hill Lutheran Church, rural Parkers Prairie. After their marriage, they farmed near Barrett, then moved to Alexandria for a short time before moving to their farm in Urness Township of Douglas County. They farmed until moving into Hoffman in 1990. Ansel entered the Good Samaritan Society of Hoffman in July, 2007. Ansel was a member of the Solem Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council as chairman and taught Sunday School. He also served on the Urness Township Board and the Farmers Union Board. After the closing of Solem Lutheran Church, Ansel became a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman. He also belonged to the Kensington American Legion. Ansel is survived by his wife Doris of Hoffman; one sister, Gloria (Frank) Witt, and one brother, Anders (Jean) Christenson, both of Washington; and numerous relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Darlene Huseth.

---