Dale L Christensen was born September 5, 1930 in Council Bluffs, IA, to Verner and Julia (Rasmussen) Christensen. Baptized on 9/28/1930 and confirmed 3/25/1945 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Neola. He grew up on their farm near Underwood, Iowa. He graduated from Underwood Consolidated High School in 1948. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Science at Dana College, Blair Nebraska 1953, and Doctor of Medicine at University of Iowa Medical School 1957.
After Internship at Rockford Memorial Hospital, he practiced medicine at McCrary Rost Clinic and Stewart Memorial Hospital in Lake City, Iowa for 35 years.
August 14, 1955, he married the love of his life Arlene J Miller of Spencer, Iowa who taught school in Nickerson, Nebraska and Ely, Iowa.
In 1989, he was named Iowa Dr. of the Year by the Academy of Family Practice. He became a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice in 1974. Also served as President of the following: Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Lake City Economic Development, Stewart Memorial hospital, and chairman of the board Lake City bank. He also served as Calhoun County Medical Examiner. Chairman of Lake City Library Capital Campaign. He was also a Kiwanis Member. Long time member of Pilgrim Lutheran and Bethesda Lutheran.
Those left to cherish his memory their children Janeen (Kent) Anderson, Jon (Denise) Christensen, Lisa Christensen, Larry (Trisha) Christensen.
Grandchildren: Nick (Toni-Anne) daughter Hunter Anderson, Kelsey (JC) daughters Naomi, Abigail Mobley, Kirsten (Dain) daughter Nova McKeon
Kara (Dan) daughter Rylan, son Jack, Gavin Jones, Casie (Jonathon) son David, daughter Karden Ostermann, Justin Christensen, Jill (Alex) daughter Araya Beach, Calvin Christensen, Grant Christensen, Brooke (Luke) daughter Cora Vonnahme, Kyle Christensen, Colby Christensen and his sister Carol Livingston. Preceded in death by his wife, Arlene, his parents, brothers Allen and Neil Christensen.
Dale became interested in soil and water conservation and the benefits of trees at an early age. Those interests continued throughout his life. Hobbies included hunting, fishing, agriculture, raising Angus cattle, farming, reading and choral music. Dale loved his family, friends and community. Dales Philosophy: Persistent curiosity about the world and its inhabitants makes for an abundant life.
A gathering will be 10 until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Oct 4, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave., Ames, Iowa with a 11:00 am Celebration of life memorial service. A private burial will take place at Lake City Cemetery, Lake City, Iowa.
Online condolences may be directed to, www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Dale was a good friend of mine and he gave me good advice. He was the main leadership of the McCrary Rost Clinic and Stewart Memorial. I will miss him. Dr.James Comstock. (Charlie)
I worked with him for several years. A kind gentle man.
I worked with Dr. Christensen in Lake View, Iowa at McCraryRost Clinic. He was liked by all his patients and staff.
Twila Cleveland
We are sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. With deepest sympathy 💐
We cleaned for the Christensen's in their townhome in Ames. They were amazing people. Mr. Christensen taught us a lot about conservation and trees. He gave us free medical advice at no charge. Every time he time he drove by us he would roll down the windows and say
who let the dog's out. He even took us for a ride in his ford edge to check out the sound system. He always talked about his childeren, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a sweet man, a good neighbor and friend. It was a blessing to know him.
Our sincere sympathies - enjoyed working with him and learning from him over our many years together at Stewart Memorial. Jim and Norene Bauman, RN
To Dr Christensen s family
Your dad was a very important person in our family. He was my doctor when I had the triplets. He took very good care of all of us from finding out I was pregnant to telling me the baby was moving all over the place when he was trying to listen to the heartbeat to him having me get an ultrasound to me calling him that night to let him know the baby was not moving around, he was hearing 3 heart beats. Oh what a few months of excitement we all had. He was not only our doctor but our friend. Our sympathy to your family. A great doctor and a great person. May he rest in peace 🙏
To Dr Dale's family, my sympathy as you grieve his absence. My parents were Short and LaVonne Johnson. Dale and Arlene were a very important part of their lives.
Dale was a remarkable man. I feel blessed to have known both Arlene & Dale.
My prayers go out to his family. With love, Gwen
Visitation
Ames, IA 50010
Service
Ames, IA 50010
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