Bruce Christensen

Bruce Christensen, age 78, of Litchfield, MN, died on Monday, June 7, 2010, at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN. Visitation will at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral home in Litchfield, MN Thursday, June 10, 2010 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and the funeral will be held Friday, June 11, 2010 at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral home in Litchfield, MN at 10:00am. Interment will be in Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN. The family will be departing for Acacia following the funeral services. Bruce Christensen was born July 18th, 1931 in Marlett, MI. He attended public school Marlett and graduated from High School in 1949. In the fall of 1949, Bruce went to Grand View College in Des Moines Iowa, there he met Jean Gantriis. They attended Grand View College for two years ending in 1951. On August 19th, 1951, they were married in Minneapolis. They moved to Pleasantville, Iowa where Jean taught first grade and Bruce attended Drake University. The next year they moved to Minneapolis where Jean taught first grade and Bruce attended the University of Minnesota. In August of 1954 they moved to Tyler, Minnesota where Bruce started his teaching career and where they lived for eight years. During these eight years, all of their four children were born- Nancy in 1954, Sally in 1958, Bradley in 1959 and Ronald in 1962. In 1962 Bruce, Jean and family moved to Litchfield, Minnesota where Bruce help customized the home they lived in for the next forty years. Bruce was very talented in many areas and loved to tinker in the garage. Bruce was the Choral Director in Litchfield until 1976 when he left the teaching profession and started his own business Christensen Professional Piano Services. Bruce had an ear and love for music. Bruce started the Male Chorus in Litchfield, MN and remained as their Director for several decades. In 1980 they all traveled to Demark, Germany, and Switzerland touring and performing. After the death of his wife Jean, Bruce moved to Alexandria, MN in August of 2009 to be closer to family members. Bruce spent much of this time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During this time Bruce’s son Ronald passed away from complications relating to cancer. Bruce continued to live in Alexandria until his passing June 7, 2010. Bruce is survived by his children Nancy (and Leland) Smith of Sauk Rapids, MN, Sally (and Tim) Paffrath of Alexandria, MN, Bradley Christensen of Alexandria, MN; 10 grandchildren Angela (and Nathan) Shaefer, Aaron Smith, Justin Paffrath, Jacob (and Jamie) Paffrath, Shanna Paffrath, Judd Paffrath, Brianna Christensen, Spenser Christensen, Andrew Christensen, Julia Christensen; three great grandchildren Bryce and Brooklynn Paffrath, Emitt Shaefer; Sister Irene (husband Don) Barth, Farmington Hills, MI