Comments (...)James M. “Jim" Christensen, 82, of Morris, Ill., and formerly of DeKalb, Ill., and Green Bay, Wis., passed away peacefully with his loving son by his bedside at noon Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 in Morris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
Born June 26, 1930, in the home of his parents, Clarence J. and Sadie (Coddington) Christensen, he received his elementary education in St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School in DeKalb and graduated with the Class of 1948 from DeKalb High School, where he was a star athlete lettering in football and baseball. He was offered an opportunity to try out with the minor league team of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
In 1949, he was drafted into the U. S. Army and proudly served his country until 1953, when he received his honorable discharge.
He married Joan M. Carpenter on April 12, 1952, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in DeKalb. Immediately after his discharge from the Army, they moved to Morris to make their home. This is when Jim went to work for his father-in-law at Service Gas, a propane gas company. This began a 45-year career in the propane industry.
In 1976, he moved to Tampa, Fla., to make his home and, on March 20, 1977, he married Camilla K. Bols. In 1980 they moved to Green Bay, Wis., and this is when Jim became a Green Bay Packers fan. He was a also lifelong, die-hard Chicago Cubs fan.
In 2007, he returned to Morris to make his home at Morris Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.
Mr. Christensen was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Morris, a former member and avid golfer at the Morris Country Club, and a former member of the Elks Lodge when it was located in Morris.
Surviving is his loving son, Greg, and his wife, Jo, Christensen of Morris, and their two sons, Kevin, and his wife, Sarah, Christensen of Chicago, Ill., and Keith Christensen of Channahon, Ill.; his daughter, Hailey Christensen; a stepdaughter, Sherry, and her husband, Tom, Van Bellinger, and their daughter, Angela, and her husband, Jason, Phillips and their children, Kaiden and Landen, and their son, Steven, and his wife, Julie, Blair, all of Green Bay, Wis.; a stepson, Michael, and his wife, Diane, Bols, of Plano, Ill., and their two sons, Bob, and his wife, Kim, Bols and their children, Cortney and Tyler Bols, of Sandwich, Ill., and Brian Bols and his son, Christopher, of Plano, Ill.; one Sister, Mary Lu Wagley of Anamosa, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Camilla, on Nov. 1, 1996; and one brother, Jack Christensen.
Friends may call on Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Fr. Edward J. Howe of Immaculate Conception Church officiating at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Ill. Interment with full military honors conducted by the Morris Color Guard will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
Serving as his pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Kevin and Keith Christensen, Steven, Bob and Brain Bols, along with nephew Gerig Robinson.
Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts to Immaculate Conception Church building fund.
Condolences can be extended online to the family at www.ucdavisandsons.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., Morris. For additional information, call the funeral home at (815) 942-0084.
