Arnold "Arnie" S. Christenson

Arnold Christenson of Pine City passed away Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Ecumen of North Branch at the age of 96. Arnold Christenson was born to Edith (Widstrand) and Gustaf Christenson on March, 5th, 1919 in the Swedish community of Rock Creek, Minnesota. He was the third of six children (Harry, Clarence, Arnold, Wendell, Francis and Inez) and a child of the "Great Depression." This experience instilled, character, perseverance, work ethic, family values and the importance of civic contributions. At age 13, Arnie walked several miles to a family that hired him to take over farming responsibilities. What money he earned went into the family shoebox. He had more responsibility at 13 years old then most of us had at 21. He saved everything and could make something out of nothing. As a member of the greatest generation, Arnie served his county in the Army Air Corps in World War II in the China-India-Burma theatre. His experiences as a serviceman in World War II had a significant impact on his appreciation of the United States of America. When he recounted his return coming into New York harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty, he would get tears in his eyes. Arnie had a 43 year career with Land O’ Lakes where he started in 1943 in Rush City, Minnesota. He was asked to be the chief engineer in Marshfield, Wisconsin and a year and a half later chief engineer in Whitehall, Wisconsin. He became the plant manager in Milaca, Minnesota in 1953 and then to Pine City, Minnesota in 1964 as the plant manager where he finished his career. He married Virgean Johnson in 1946. They had four children, Robert, Ronald, Carol and Randall. He loved his family and especially enjoyed the years when his kids were growing up. He has 10 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. They all loved spending time with their grandpa and have many endearing stories. Every one of the grandchildren had a chance to have a dance with him. Arnie lead a lifetime of civic contribution. He was a charter member of the Milaca and Pine City Lions Club where he was the third president. He served on the board of directors for the Pine City Chamber of Commerce, was active in the Knights of Columbus and VFW, volunteered for the fire department, and served as a commander of the American Legion. In addition, Arnie was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 1988 by the Pine City Chamber of Commerce. Arnie loved to dance. He loved to hunt and did so up to the age of 94. He enjoyed gardening and was good at it. He loved people, always had a twinkle in his eye and loved to laugh. Arnie will be missed dearly. Arnie is survived by his wife Virgean “Jean” Christenson of Pine City, children: Robert (Jennie) Christenson of Harris, Ronald (Janet) Christenson of Waconia, Carol Christenson (Mark) Murray of Forest Lake, and Randall (Teresa) Christenson of Apple Valley, 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, sisters Francis Stromquist of Braham, Inez (Fred) Engler of Rush City, sister-in-law Margaret Christenson of Stillwater and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Gust and Edith, siblings Harry Christenson, Clarence (Julia) Christenson and Wendell Christenson. Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Arnie Christenson: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 1 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Pine City, MN. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for Wednesday, September 30 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Swanson Chapel in Pine City, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pine City with military honors provided by the Heath-Perkins American Legion Post #51 and the Novak-Milliren VFW Post #4258. Memorials may be directed to the Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements for Arnie Christenson are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City ~ Swanson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com