Ronald Emil Christensen age 75 of Westbrook passed away Monday, January 27, 2014 at the Sanford Sioux Falls Medical Center.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 1 at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook with burial at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery of Rose Hill Township.  Visitation is 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at the Westbrook Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.  Memorials are preferred to the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in lieu of flowers.   Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ronald Emil Christensen was born on July 20, 1938, in Des Moines River Township, Murray County, Minnesota, to Emil and Helma (Grams) Christensen.  He was baptized at Rose Hill Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Westbrook, Minnesota, where he attended Sunday School and Luther League.  He also taught Sunday School.   Ronald attended school in District 108, Murray County, and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1956.  Together with his parents and sister, Carolyn, he lived in Southern California with extended family members for one year when he was in the seventh grade.  When the family moved back to Westbrook, he was active in football, FFA, 4H, and Luther League.  Ronnie was awarded the distinguished American Farmer Award in 1959 through Future Farmers of America, the highest honor a high school student can achieve in FFA.  His plans were to attend college, but he took over the family farm at age 17 when his father died unexpectedly.  He was united in marriage with Eunice Keller on November 23, 1962, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray, Minnesota.  Ron farmed for many years, also milking Ayrshire and Jersey cows.  He served on the Associated Milk Producers Incorporated District Board for several terms and enjoyed trips to AMPI conventions. Together with his wife, Eunice, they continued farming on the original Christensen homestead, raising their daughters, Cathie and Christie.  The Christensen Farm was designated a Century Farm by the State of Minnesota in 2009.  This was one of Ronnie’s proudest moments.  Ronnie was a good steward of the land and a prudent financial planner.  He was a strong advocate of education for his children and grandchildren. Ronnie was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook and served on the council several times.  His greatest joy was his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He loved to travel and see new places.  Ron and Eunice enjoyed winters in South Texas and went on numerous trips to see the country and spend time with family.  In the weeks preceding his death, Ronald was able to spend time with all of his family members.  He will be missed.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Eunice (Keller) Christensen; daughters, Cathie (Paul) Maeyaert, Round Rock, TX, and Christie (Warren) Wicks, Johnston, IA; grandchildren, Daniel (Chesley) Maeyaert , Waco, TX,  Andrea Maeyaert (fiancé David Wilkinson) , Euless, TX, Sierra and Jake Wicks, Johnston, IA; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Dakota Maeyaert, Waco, TX.   He is also survived by one sister, Carolyn (Ken) Lebsock, Gaithersburg, MD, and a number of nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil Christensen and Helma (Grams) Christensen.