Carl Christensen

Dr. Carl J. Christensen June 21, 1935 - Jan. 21, 2015 WALKERTON - Dr. Carl J. Christensen, 79 years old, passed away on January 21, 2015 at the Northwestern Hospital, Chicago, IL. Dr. Christensen was born on June 21, 1935 in English Lake, IN to the late Richard and Stella (Tyle) Christensen. He has lived in Walkerton most of his life. On June 26, 1965 at the Sacred Heath of Jesus Catholic Church, Lakeville, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Biasics. Along with his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Mary Ann, Dr. Christensen is survived by their children, Karen (Fernando) Araujo, Patricia (Matthew) Rees, Amelia (Kevin) Hyde and Carl C. Christensen, all of Chicago; and six grandchildren, Anna and Ben Araujo, Jackson and Liam Rees, and Faith and Farrah Hyde; his dedicated extended family & office staff, Justina, Sarah & Anthony, and lap buddies, Lucy & Dexter. Dr. Christensen owned and operated the Walkerton Veterinary Clinic for over fifty years. Carl attended elementary school in a one room school house in English Lake, Indiana. From there he pursued his studies and graduated from Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1959. Following graduation Carl worked as a federal veterinarian for several years before acquiring his practice in Walkerton. During that time he participated in programs that saw to the eventual eradication of hog cholera and tuberculosis in livestock. He had many experiences with his patients that included being rolled by a bull to twice being bitten and exposed to rabies. He always described himself as an "old farm boy," and truly loved the companionship of animals. Most of his clients never knew the number of times he would get out of bed in the middle of the night to check on a pet that was in his clinic or postpone a weekend trip out of town. He was proud to be a card carrying Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In addition to various medical associations, over the years, Carl was the past president of the Walkerton Lions Club, Cub Master for the Walkerton Cub Scouts Pack 293 and participated in the Knights of Columbus. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 63568 U.S. 31 South, Lakeville, IN. Rev. John Delaney will celebrate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, January 30th, at the Palmer Funeral Home, 202 N. Main Street, North Liberty, IN, where a Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. Contributions in memory of Dr. Carl J. Christensen may be donated to the Walkerton Emergency Medical Services, 510 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, IN 46574 or to the Heifer International Foundation, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.