CHRISTENSEN, CLARENCE H.

Clarence Henry “Chris” Christensen, M.D. died on Saturday, August 25, 2007 in Washburn, Wisconsin. Dr. Christensen was born on August 26, 1912 in Salix, Iowa. His father Andrew was a Danish immigrant blacksmith. His mother Marie, who taught him to play the piano, died when he was seven. His three sisters, Viola, Ellen, and Doris, all preceded him in death. He attended school and high school in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. He attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1940. He interned at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. He married Doris Bahls in 1942. He was in the Navy four years during World War II attached to the Marine Corps. He was with the Marine Raider Battalion on the assault landings in the Pacific at Bougainville, Admiralty Islands, and Guam. He was awarded the Bronze Star at Guam. After the war he returned to Duluth to practice with Dr. P. S. Rudie which later became P. S. Rudie Associates. In 1950 he was recalled to active duty in the Navy for 6 months during the Korean War. He was president of the Lake Superior Medical Society during the formation of the Free Clinic and the Women’s Health Center. He was active for several years at the Bethel Society, in the YMCA, then later in scouting with his five sons, attending numerous camps and three different National Scout Jamborees on the medical staff. He was a life member of the NAACP. He served as president of the Head of the Lakes World Affairs Council. He cherished his Danish heritage. In 1962 he took Dory and his six children to Denmark to meet his Danish family. After 62 years in Duluth, Chris and Dory moved to Washburn, WI five years ago to be near their son Donn and his family. He is survived by his wife, Doris; 5 sons, Kenner (Kimberly) of Pinos Altos, NM, Donn (Ann) of Washburn, WI, Odin (Phyllis) of Mancos, CO, Anders (Christine) of Minneapolis, MN, Tore (Janet) of Boulder, CO; and daughter Kristen (Roberto de Souza) of Washburn, WI; and nine grandchildren; six step-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Minnesota. A family and community gathering will take place on Friday, September 28 at 3 PM at West End Park in Washburn, WI. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 29 at 10 AM at First Memorial Funeral Chapel, 4100 Grand Avenue in Duluth, MN. The Christensen family is grateful to the many people in the greater Washburn community for surrounding Chris and Dory with love and food. We give special thanks to the caring staff at Northern Lights Nursing Home and Regional Hospice.