Photo courtesy of Swartz Funeral Home - Flint
Grand Blanc, Michigan
CHRISTENSON, Carl E. ? Of Grand Blanc, age 87, died Monday, July 13, 2015 in Grand Blanc.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2015 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Reverend G. Patrick England
officiating.
Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in Morenci, Michigan.
Those desiring may make contributions to The Salvation Army or Doctors Without Borders.
Visitation 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Thursday until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Carl was born in Berkley, MI on October 17, 1927, the son of Robert and Lucy (Beadle) Christenson and was a resident of East Detroit and the Dearborn area most of his life before moving to Grand Blanc in 1996.
He married Shirley Maynard on June 10, 1950 in East Detroit and she preceded him in death on May 28, 2006.
He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force Reserves after 22 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Grand Blanc Post, the Air Force Association, Reserve Officers Association, Retired Officers Association, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honorary Society, MSU Presidents Club and the Michigan Association of Governmental Employees.
Mr. Christenson was employed as a Construction Civil Engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation for 39 years, retiring in 1987.
Surviving are three children, Dr. Karla F. Christenson,
Paul E. and wife Valerie,
Alan C. and wife Jean;
grandson, James Christenson;
great-grandchildren, Verity, Brodan, Bradley and Kelsey Christenson;
several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Dale, in 1991; grandson, Robert Christenson; parents, Robert and Lucy Christenson; and during World War II, his brother, Earl R. Christenson and sister, Marian Bash.
Very sorry for the family's loss. I knew Carl only slightly during my time at the Southfield District office (Real Estate) but had respect for him.
Mario Galli
July 22, 2015 | Shelby Township, MI
Carl Christenson, my American Dad, will always live in my memories. He became part of my life when he accepted me as a German exchange student in his home in Dearborn in 1967. He and his warmhearted wife Shirley were lovely people who made the world a bit better!
My family thinks of Carl in gratitude.
Dorette Leopold
July 18, 2015 | Everswinkel, Germany
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Christenson. He was a special neighbor.
Mark & Marci Johnson
July 16, 2015 | Grand Blanc, MI
Our condolences to the family. Sorry to learn of your loss.
Tom Lagerstrom and Mary Anne Griffin
July 15, 2015 | Petoskey, MI
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rhett & Barb Hurley
July 15, 2015 | Croswell, MI
The Michigan State University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering expresses its condolences to the family on behalf of the passing of a most distinguished alumnus of our department.
Thomas F. Wolff
Interim Chairperson
Thomas Wolff
July 14, 2015 | East Lansing, MI
We will miss Father Christenson much.
We send love and prayers to Carla and other family members.
Ruddie & Kitty Byron
July 14, 2015 | Flint, MI
