Ernest Jon Christensen passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the age of 79.
Ernie was born on March 11, 1939 in Esterville, Iowa, son of the late Ernest and Lucille (Theesfield) Christiansen. He moved with his family to Iola, Wisconsin in 1953. He attended Platteville University in 1961 where he earned his degree in farming. After college he worked in Hurley at the UW extension office as a 4-H county agent. In 1968 he married Nancy Grandelis while residing in Gile, Wisconsin, until moving to their residence in Iola in 1970. He worked temporarily driving bus for Iola-Scandinavia schools before accepting a position at the United States Postal Service in Iola, where he worked for 32 years until retirement at the age of 67. Ernie’s hobbies included trips up north to the cabin, which consisted of fishing and Saturday morning rummage sales. He enjoyed spending time with the family, collecting old trains, wood working in his shop, and playing cards and games with the grand and great-grand kids.
He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy, son Jonathan, parents, Ernest and Lucille; sister Colleen Sykes, brother Leon, and brothers-in-law, Donald Sykes and David Bestul. Survivors include: sister JoAnn (Doug) Lytle, sister-in-law Janice Christiansen, son Robert (Robin) Christiansen of Iola,WI; daughters: Teresa McClung of Charlotte, NC; Ann (Robert) Bydynkowski of Iola, WI; Elizabeth (Michael) Baron of Vernon, WI. Grandchildren include: Jessica, Robert, Carmen, Alan, Emily, Samantha, Nicholas, Amber, Isabella, and Brianna. Great-grandchildren include: Cheyenne, Taedym, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Sophiah, Rownan, and Rosaleigh.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 8, 2019 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Iola with the Rev. Ken Hanson officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery, Town of Scandinavia. Voie Funeral Home of Iola assisted the family with arrangements.