Delbert “Del” Lee Christensen, 80, formerly of Newman Grove, died Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, at the Crete Area Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Delbert was born Jan. 18, 1942, in Clinton, Iowa, to Douglas and Lucille (Thompson) Christensen. Del attended St. Edward school until his junior year, at which time he transferred to Newman Grove, where he graduated in 1959. He attended Wayne State College, where he also played basketball. He then attended the California Institute of Technology. He was employed by Behlen Manufacturing as a draftsman and salesman in 1960. This would be where he and Mary would begin their life together
Del married the love of his life, Mariette Ann Arlt on Jan. 26, 1963, at Lindsay Holy Family Church in Lindsay. To this union was born four children. Del later moved his family to join his father, Doug, at Christensen Construction Company in Newman Grove in 1978. They worked together until he consolidated his company in 1990 with B-D Construction in Columbus. He worked at B-D Construction until he retired in 2004. Del and Mary relocated to Crete in 2007, where he resided until his death. Del spent his retirement playing golf and making custom golf clubs. He especially enjoyed the Albion Country Club, golfing with his kids and grandkids and spending time in nature any chance he could.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife Mariette, Crete; sons, Allen, and wife, Gina (McWilliams), Humphrey, and their children, Tyler, Cody and wife Paige and their son, Connor (great-grandchild) and Jade, Doug and wife Cindy (Mindrup), Wayne, and their children, Matthew and Clay, and daughter, Tammy, and husband Ron Schroeder, Crete, and their children, Luke, Danny and Lindsay. He was preceded in death by his parents, Doug and Lucille Christensen; and his premature daughter, Mary.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 24 at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Lindsay with burial in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the family for later designation. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.levanderfuneralhome.com.
