Mount Pleasant – Gary Alan Christensen, 73, of Mt. Pleasant, ended his time here on Earth on Monday, March 26.

Gary was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on March 17, 1945 to Allen and Carol Christensen.  He attended Hansche School in Racine and graduated from high school in Bluffton, Indiana.   In 1963, his family moved back to Racine.  While in Bluffton, he helped to form a drum & bugle corps.  When he returned to Racine, he continued his love of drum corps by joining the Racine Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps.  He had many happy memories of being the drum major, especially when they performed at the 1964 New York World's Fair.  He joined the Army National Guard in 1965 and was honorably discharged in 1971 with the rank of Staff Sargent.   On August 11, 1973, he was united in marriage to Vicki Lobue at Holy Communion Lutheran Church.   They were happily married for 44 years and had the opportunity to vacation together in many parts of the country and the world.

For several years, Gary was the manager at the Kroger grocery store in Elmwood Plaza.  He later worked as a sales representative for Monroe Business Machines and for Miller Box Company.  In 1975, he partnered with Al Noehl and Robert Miller to form Worldwide Box & Packaging.  In his younger years, he loved downhill skiing.  He is a past member and president of the Snomads Ski Club and won many trophies racing against other Snomad members and skiers from other area ski clubs.  He was also a ski instructor at the Playboy Club in Lake Geneva.  He enjoyed golfing, playing bocce, watching Packer games, playing poker, dining out, being with family and friends, and drinking his Canadian Club Manhattans.  Even though he wasn't Italian, he was able to join Roma Lodge through his wife; and he thoroughly enjoyed participating in all of the Lodge activities.  He served as a director and as vice-president.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dennis.  He is survived by his wife, Vicki; his sister, Donna (Bart) Dosedla; his nephews, Beau Michna and Derek Dosedla; and his niece, Andrea Dosedla.  He is also survived by many cousins and friends.

A memorial celebration of Gary's life will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018, 4:15pm, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road.  A Roma Lodge service will take place at 4:00pm at the funeral home.  Visitation will be from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.  Private interment will take place at Mound Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials for Gary may be made to the Roma Lodge Scholarship Fund.