Deloris Christensen Obituary

Deloris Ann "Del" Christensen, 97, of Ord passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at the Arbor Care Center in Ord, Nebraska.
Deloris Ann was born in Geneva, Nebraska on November 14, 1926, to William and Anna (Paulson) Bumgarner. She was raised on a farm owned by her mother's parents, (Paulsons) near Strang, Nebraska. Del went to the first grade at a country school near Geneva when she was 4 years old. During her high school years, she lived with her sister Norma and husband Virgil Eppler in Geneva and graduated in 1943, at the age of 16. During her high school years, she sang in the choir, liked to dance, and learned how to play the piano from her sister Dorothy. Del took business related subjects and worked for the school superintendent.
World War II had previously started, and a week after graduation she was hired at the Fairmont Air Base as a secretary at the base hospital. During that time, at a dance at the air base Del met her future husband, Harold Christensen, the son of Raymond and Antonia Christensen from Ord, Nebraska. Harold then asked her for a date! Due to crucial military needs, Harold was quickly transferred to the U.S. Army to serve as a military policeman in the Pacific Theater in Leyte, Philippines. Harold wanted to become engaged to Del as soon as possible upon his return from overseas, so he had his father Raymond purchase the engagement ring. Upon Harold's return the couple was formally engaged, and united in marriage on Sunday, May 19, 1946. As a joke, Harold handcuffed himself to Del at the wedding reception to avoid kidnapping by Del's brother Homer Bumgarner and brother-in-law Virgil Eppler!
After Harold's discharge from the military in 1946, the couple moved to Grand Island, Nebraska where Harold worked as a bookkeeper at Consolidate Mills. Later, in November of 1946, they settled in Ord, Nebraska. Harold worked at the Nebraska State Bank for 38 years until June of 1984, when he retired as executive vice president. Del worked at various secretary jobs in Ord, including working for Jay and Glen Auble.
Harold and Del were blessed with two sons, Larry and Lyle. The family enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends at numerous lakes across Nebraska and Minnesota. Harold and Del were devoted members of the Ord First United Methodist Church. Del was active in her church circle, as well as PEO Chapter BB, of which she became a 50-year member.
Survivors include her son, Larry of Chisago City, Minnesota and girlfriend Vicki Selep of St. Paul, Minnesota; son Lyle and daughter-in-law Joyce of Omaha; and four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Scott and Andrea Christensen of South St. Paul, Minnesota, Erika and Josh Wight and their children Olivia, Jameson, and Sawyer all of Lindstrom, Minnesota; Brian and Nicole Christensen of Sierra Vista, Arizona; and Jamie and Ryan Jensen and their son, Xavier all of Chatham, Illinois.
Harold passed away at the age of 83 on February 10, 2007. Also, preceding Del in death, are her parents; and her five siblings and their spouses, Leona and Joe Deprez, Norma and Virgil Eppler, Homer and Gloria Bumgarner, Dorothy and Bob Hanson, and Darlene and Louis Schropfer.
A visitation will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ord Memorial Chapel followed by a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. in the Ord City Cemetery. Reverend Spenser Johnson will officiate.
Memorials are suggested to the Ord First United Methodist Church.
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