Alvin Christensen

Alvin Lee Christensen lost his courageous, long fought, battle with ALS. Alvin was born to Glen Downs and Edna Ruth (Metcalf) Christensen on May 25, 1940, in Imperial, Nebraska. His paternal grandparents were homesteaders in Hayes County, and his maternal great-grandparents and grandparents were homesteaders in Chase County. He was raised on the family farm east of
Wauneta with his two brothers, Richard and Neil. He spent as much time as he could with his father on the farm and he loved the agricultural life. When he was 16, he was baptized and accepted Jesus as his savior. He participated in many activities while in high school and was graduated from Wauneta Rural High School in 1958.

At the seventy-fifth anniversary of Chase County, he met a girl, Joyce Baker, who lived on the highest land in Chase County. Alvin returned to college in the fall of 1960, and they continued to see each other. Alvin & Joyce were married on August 5, 1961. While he was finishing work on his Bachelor’s Degree, he was asked to join Kappa Delta Pi, a national honor society for teachers. He graduated from UNK in January, 1963 and taught in several Nebraska schools. While teaching in Grand Island, he was awarded an honorary Life membership in PTA. In 1971, he started a construction company in Grand Island, which he owned and operated until they decided to join her father on his ranch at Enders, Nebraska. The untimely death of her father stopped those plans and Alvin returned to teaching. While teaching at Venango, the School Board asked him to assume the
duties of superintendent which he did, serving the next 19 years as superintendent of several rural Nebraska schools. He liked the small schools because he had more contact with students. While superintendent at Genoa Public Schools, he was awarded an honorary life membership in FHA-HERO for his support of that organization. He retired in 1999 and after one year of retirement, he was asked to teach science at Allen Public Schools which he did for two years. He always enjoyed teaching and was proud of his ability to diagnose reading problems and prescribe ways of helping the student. He taught every grade from third to twelfth at least two years. He always said that his favorite grade to teach was the one he was currently teaching.

After Alvin retired, he developed a program to introduce fourth graders to Nebraska History which he presented to many fourth graders across Nebraska. He always enjoyed teaching and involving students with the curriculum. He enjoyed hunting and rifle shooting. His preferred shooting was with black powder cartridge rifles amassing 15 national first place medals and the national 600-yard record in 2004.

In 1998, Alvin started participating in hand cornhusking contests. He placed second in Nebraska several times and as high as 6th in the national contests. He won the Kansas State Open Contest once. He was drawn in by the friendliness of the other contestants.

His love of family was shown by his travels to see his family in any and all activities. He loved telling grandchildren and anyone else who would listen of some of their cute activities from their youth. They sometimes told him of some of his cute activities.

Alvin joined “Time Travelers” and enjoyed writings two activities a month. Family was his favorite topic to write about and some you have heard what he wrote about you. Those that haven’t, he still wrote about you. He wrote about you because he loved you and you were important to him.

His parents and one grandson, Jeremy, preceded him in death. Survivors include his loving wife, Joyce, of 61 years, their twin sons Karl (Chris), Kirk (Renae), and daughters Rhonda (Mike McClellan), Julie (Craig Schnitzler); grandchildren (Brad, Ryan, Christy, Jonah, Kaylyn, Aaron, Jacob, Tyler, Austin, Preston & Hannah) and great grandchildren and a large host of other family members and friends. His two brothers, Richard (Judy) and Neil (Diane), and their families also survive him.

Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church at 2001 S 11th Lincoln, NE. Luncheon to following. Committal Service date TBD.

Memorials will be given in Alvin’s name to children and youth educational organizations.

Live Stream of funeral at:
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