Paul D. Christensen

Paul Douglas Christensen, 82, (Ret. Marine Corps Sgt Major) died peacefully surrounded by family in his Carter Lake, IA home on Oct. 11, 2019.

He was born on November 9, 1936 the son of Paul R. and Vickie Christensen. Paul was raised in Carter Lake on the family dairy farm, Courtland Dairy. After graduating from Technical High School in 1955 he joined the United States Marine Corp.
On his 21st birthday he married the love of his life, Alice, whom he met in the 5th grade. Paul and Alice started their family and moved across the country for his various duties as a Marine. Paul was a drill Instructor at Camp Pendleton San Diego, CA, completed a combat tour in Vietnam, where he received numerous citations and commendations including the Navy Achievement Medal with Valor. Upon returning to the States he was assigned as the Marine Corps funeral director at Arlington National Cemetery. Paul was later stationed at several locations including Chicago, IL, Okinawa, Japan, and Green Bay, WI. He ended his career as a recruiter in Omaha, NE., where he returned to his hometown of Carter Lake, IA. And with more than 27-1/2 years of service to this country in the USMC, he retired as a Decorated Sgt. Major. Paul also earned recognized competition shooting awards including the Elliot Trophy, the Edson Trophy, and the FMF Combat Infantry Trophy.
Following retirement, Paul worked an additional 15 years for Northwest Airlines at Eppley airfield. When both Paul and Alice fully retired, they enjoyed attending all of their grandchildren’s many activities. They also became “snowbirds” finding a spot at Paradise RV Resort in Sun City, AZ where they made many new friends over the 20+ years they went south. Paul was an avid bowler, golfer, and horseshoe pitcher. But his most recent passion was lawn bowling where he went so far as to build his own personal lawn bowling court in his yard. Above all, Paul was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Friend, and will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting him.

He is survived by his wife, Alice of 61 years; his children, Diane (Tim) Storey of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Paul Christensen of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Lori (Brian) Poldberg of Carter Lake, Iowa; his brothers, Chris (Mary) and Terry (Diana); his ten grandchildren, Dane, Marjory, Lucy, Deric, Barbara, Emily, Adam, Grant, John, and Alice; and many nieces, nephew, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Vickie Christensen.

A rosary will take place at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral home on Wednesday, 5:00 p.m., with a visitation following until 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Thursday, at 9:15 a.m., at Corpus Christi Parish, Our Lady of Carter Lake Church, followed by a military burial at the Omaha National Cemetery. Luncheon will be immediately available after the funeral service in the social hall at the church. Please direct memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project.