Gilbert W. Christensen - Lucan

Gilbert W. Christensen, age 82 of Lucan, MN passed away on April 12, 2014 at his residence in Lucan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lucan. Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 pm on Tuesday at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 pm and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with military honors will be held in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. Gilbert Wendell Christensen was born on February 17, 1932 to Arthur and Pauline (Kotval) Christensen on the family farm near Lucan. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. He attended school in Lucan and finished his education in Milroy. On January 27, 1953, Gilbert enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War as an airplane mechanic. He received medals for National Defense Service and Good Conduct. He was honorably discharged from service on January 26, 1957. On February 4, 1954 he was united in marriage to Patricia Kramer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth. They moved to Tacoma, Washington where he was stationed in the Air Force. Upon his discharge, they moved to Belview for a short time and eventually settled on a farm outside of Lucan. Gilbert was a jack of all trades, worked as a dairy farmer for a short time, operated and managed the Tuloma Standard Oil Chemical Company in Vesta, worked at Terra Chemical in Marshall, and also at Jonver in Wabasso. He was active with the Lucan Lions Club and the American Legion. He was also an active member of his church as a lector and helped with maintenance around the church. Gilbert enjoyed singing with his wife in their band, the Star Wranglers, and as lead singer and guitarist of Lakeland Troubadours. He also enjoyed restoring old tractors, liked animals, gardening, flying airplanes, and going to air shows. He and his wife and family also enjoyed spending time together at Lake Oscar, but most importantly just being able to spend time with his grandchildren, family, friends, and his beloved dog, Spots. On Saturday, April 12, 2014, Gilbert passed away at his residence in Lucan at the age of 82 years old. He is survived by his six children, Denise (Luis) Castellanos of Davenport, FL, Susan (James Marks) Sik of Tracy, Gilbert Jr “Gib” (Lana Edman) Christensen of Granite Falls, Ruth (Cliff) Freiderich of Lake Crystal, Rebecca “Becci” (Wesley) Sik of Lucan, and Selene (Steve) Pierce of Belvidere, IL; seven siblings, Althea Miller, Lawrence Christensen, Mary Ann Iovino, Jean Turgeon, Arthur Jr. Christensen, Albert Christensen, and Cathy Allex; 17 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and companion, Spots. His parents, wife, Patricia, brothers, James and Donald, sister, Lorraine, and grandson, Wesley Walter Sik Jr. preceded him in death. Blessed be his memory.