Roger D. Christensen

SIOUX CITY -- Roger D. Christensen, 78, of Sioux City passed away Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, while being comforted by family at home.

Abiding by family wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2011 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, with the Rev. John Hagberg officiating. Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel has assisted the family with arrangements.

Roger was the only child of Clara (Neddermeyer) and Edward W. Christensen. He was born Sept. 3, 1932, in Ute, Iowa, where he lived and attended school until his family moved to Sioux City in 1942. In 1945, his family moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., for three years. After moving back to Sioux City in 1948, he graduated from Central High School in 1950.

Roger worked nights and weekends at the Uptown Theater from 1948 through 1952. In 1952, he joined the U.S. Army and after basic training, Roger taught .30-caliber machine gun classes. In the spring of 1954, he was transferred to Camp McCoy, Wis., to give classes to the U.S. Army Reserves and the National Guard.

On Aug. 7, 1954, Roger married Ramona Severson in Minneapolis. After his discharge from the service, Roger and Ramona moved to Sioux City, where they made a home and raised their two children. Roger worked at Western States Manufacturing Company for 40 years and retired as their general manager in 1999.

After retiring, he and his wife enjoyed traveling, spending several winters in Arizona, Florida, and cruises in the Caribbean. Roger always enjoyed working in his yard and spending time with his family and their dog, Lily. He was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church.

Roger is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ramona; his daughter, Sheree (Hamilton) and husband, Michael; son, Brian and wife, Sue; grandchildren, Jason and wife, Missy, Todd, Lexi, Sean; great-grandson, Dylan; and stepsisters, Myra Brannen and Janice Tomes.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Siouxland and the many doctors and nurses who provided him with their loving care.