Robert Eugene Christensen was born in Spencer, lowa, on September 23, 1932, son of Jim and Juanita (Comer) Christensen. His parents owned and operated Christensen Boat Works on Upper Gar Lake in Arnolds Park, lowa. Young Robert spent his youth working for his father and was educated in the Arnolds Park school system. During World War II his father was drafted to work in Duluth, Minnesota, where he built sub chasers for the war effort.

Following the war, the family moved back to the Christensen Boat Works in Okoboji. Robert attended Okoboji High School and graduated in 1950. During his senior year he joined the Naval Reserve. He Married Bonilyn Beck on September 24,1950, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

Since he had four years of high school typing, Robert was hired in 1951 by the Iowa Department of Public Safety as a typist/clerk, issuing Iowa drivers licenses in six northwest Iowa counties.

Several years later, Robert took the Iowa insurance tests and was a representative for FEMIC Insurance. In 1961, a decision was made to enter the ministry and the Methodist Church assigned Robert as an approved Lay Pastor to Ware, Iowa. He was later assigned to the Hazleton/Stanley Iowa Methodist Churches, serving there for four years. During this time he was able to take courses and enrolled at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, graduating in 1967. His next move was to Wyoming/Oxford Junction Iowa Methodist Churches for two years. In 1970, he decided to become a teacher/librarian at the Oxford Junction School. He worked there for twenty-five years, retiring in 1995.

Robert was a 50-year member of the Masons, as well as Scottish Rite of Clinton Valley, Kaaba Shrine of Davenport, serving as chaplain for two years. He had many hobbies including flowers, butterflies, gardening and fishing on the Maquoketa River as he lived near the Hurstville Dam for many years. They then moved to Marshalltown to be near family in 2012. He enjoyed attending his great-grandchildren’s sports events and school activities.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 74 years Bonilyn, of Marshalltown, IA; son, Rob (Jeanne) Christensen, of Marshalltown, IA; 5 grandchildren: Keri Christensen (Chris Newsom), James (Angie) Christensen, Summer Newton, Zachary (Emily) Newton, Christina (Quin) Abbot and 7 great grandchildren: Nile, Grace, Julian and Lincoln Christensen, Landyn Fleck, Zander and Stellie Newton and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Terry, his parents, his infant daughter Jill, daughter Janis and son-in-law Jack Newton.

Peace Cremation Services have been provided by Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date in Milford, Iowa, at the Milford Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials and notes of support may be directed to the Robert E. Christensen Family c/o Carson Celebration of Life Center, 318 West Pleasant Street, Maquoketa, Iowa 52060 or to the Shriners Children's Hospital.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.