Christensen, Rev. Carl Andrew Mourned as father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, friend, and Presbyterian (USA) Pastor. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, February, 1936. Died St. Paul, MN July 4, 2019. Carl served in the Army, where he played trumpet in the 5th Army Band. He graduated from U of Wisconsin Green Bay. Carl married his high school sweetheart, Karen Lukensmeyer, and they had two childrenDavid and DeAnne. They raised their family in DePere, Wisconsin, where Carl was in business. Karen died in 1979. Carl married Julia Osborne, his pastor at the DePere Presbyterian church, in 1980. They moved to Louisville, Kentucky when Carl decided to become a pastor. Carl and Julie were co-pastors in Torrington, Wyoming and in Tipton and Elwood, Indiana. They brought a full range of ministry to their congregations, particularly enjoying taking the youth on mission trips. Carl lived his life full to the brim, bringing an unquenchable spirit and humor to his studies and ministry. Along with prayers and sermons, Carl bestowed gifts, greeted everyone he met exuberantly, and held animated conversations. His rich humor lightened his forceful opinions, advice, urgent requests, and challenges to 'the system.' He was a trumpet player and choir member, accompanying his music with jokes. Carl earned his Ministry Doctorate from McCormick seminary. When Julie and Carl retired, they moved to Maplewood, Minnesota. In 2016, they moved to Waverly Gardens Presbyterian Home. Following Julie's death November, 2018, Carl moved to Episcopal Homes, St. Paul. In addition to his wives, Karen and Julie, Carl was preceded in death by his sister Cathleen Olson and his parents, Rosemary and Carl Christensen. He is survived by son David Christensen (Renee), daughter DeAnne Girton, granddaughter, Talia Girton (Tomasz Korolzuk); brother-in-law, Leigh Olson; nephew and niece Lance Olson and Christina Biggs; sisters- in-law Kathleen Vellenga and Anita Cummings & brother-in-law Russ Cummings; nieces by marriage Susan Lukensmeyer, Charlotte Landreau, Carolyn Berman; nephews by marriage Mark Lukensmeyer, Alan Prosser, Tom Vellenga, Kevin Lane Cummings, Tim Cummings, and Chris Cummings. He was grateful to his aide Julie Berger and the staff and friends at Episcopal Homes, especially his dear friend, Darlene Stevens. Talia wrote of her Grandpa Carl, "The greatest gift he gave me was the gift of music. The piano he bought for me as a child defined and shaped my life and career choices. I remember how comforting it was to hear my grandparents sing hymns, and how I looked up to them so much as musicians, grandparents, as ministers, and as generally outstanding human beings." A week before he died of advanced Parkinson's disease, Carl asked a niece to record his wishes for his celebration of life. He ended by quoting Dylan Thomas, "Do not go gentle into the night. Rage, rage against the dying light." Celebration of Life service: 10:30 am Saturday, August 3 at New Life Presbyterian Church in Roseville. Visitation at 9:30. Memorials to New Life Presbyterian Church youth programs.

Published on July 21, 2019