Donald Glen Christensen, age 81 years, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away July 5, 2014. He was born July 16, 1932 in Chappell, Nebraska to Howard A. and Amelia (Sick) Christensen. He graduated from Deuel High School in Chappell in 1950 and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraskato enter the ministry in September 1950. In June 1952, he joined the United States Navy. On November 14, 1954, Donmarried Bethel Kathryn Frandsen of St. Paul, Nebraska at Corpus Christi, Texas. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in June 1956, and he and Beth reentered Nebraska Wesleyan University as 1st semester juniors while serving as student pastor of the Eagle Methodist Church, Eagle, Nebraska. Both Don and Beth graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with BA degrees in June 1958. Don entered Perkins School of Theology, SMU, Dallas, Texas in September 1958. In September 1959 he transferred to the Illiff School of Theology, Denver, Colorado, graduating with a Master's Degree in Theology in June 1962. While at Illiff, he served student charge at Juniata and Wallace Methodist Churches in Nebraska, cummuting to Illiff while Beth remained on the charge during the week. While Don and Beth were at Juniata and Wallace they adopted two children, Steven Donald and David Glen. In June 1964, Don was appointed to the Wesley Park Methodist Church in Lincoln, and in October 1966, during the Vietnam War he became a United States Army Chaplain. He entered the US Army Chaplain School in October 1966, and then in December, went to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for active duty. In September 1967, Don was transferred to Korea, then to Ft. Ord, California. He volunteered to go to Vietnam and went there and to Cambodia, serving with the First Cavalry Division in combat receiving a Purple Heart. In February 1971, Don, Beth, Steven and David went to Neu-Ulm Germany and Hohenfels, Germany. Don entered the US Army career course in 1974 for 12 months and in June 1975 he and his family went to Ft. Hood, Texas. In June 1977, he and his family went to the Military District of Washington where he served as Army Chaplain at Ft. Myer, Virginia and Arlington National Cemetery. In January 1980, he became the Post Chaplain at the Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne New Jersey. Don retired from the US Army Chaplaincy with 22 years of military service retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He returned to the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church serving charge at Beaver Crossing/Seward Salem and Dewitt/Pickrell, and Ainsworth/Johnstown. Don retired from the United Methodist Ministry in June 1994 moving to Omaha, Nebraska. He accepted a position as pastor of the LaPlatte Community Church, LaPlatte, Nebraska from June 1994 untilDecember 1998. He and Beth moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in April 2006. Don is a member of the Golden Fleece Lodge #205, A.F.A.M. at Chappell, Nebraska, the American Legion, the VFW, the Purple Heart Association and the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church. Don was preceded in life by his wife Bethel and is survived by son Steven of Lorton, Virginia; son David and his wife Jayne of Lincoln; 7 grandchildren and a great granddaughter; sister Phylis Pebley and husband Marvin; 3 nieces and other relatives and many friends. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, August 3rd, at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Lincoln, Nebraska. Pastor Larry Moffet officiating. Cremation. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on a future date. Memorials requested to the First United Methodist Church, 2723 N. 50th, Lincoln, NE 68054. Memorials and condolences can be sent to the Christensen Family, P.O. Box 29137, Lincoln, NE 68529-0137.
