George Thorwald Christensen

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   RACINE – Mr. George T. Christensen, 87, passed away at WFH- All Saints on Tuesday, November 27, 2012.

   A lifelong resident of Racine, he was born in Milwaukee on December 6, 1924, the son of the late Thorwald and Martha (nee: Piller) Christensen.  At three months of age his mother died and he was then raised by his loving grandparents, Christ and Kristine Christensen and an uncle, Harold M. Christensen.  On December 20, 1947 he married Elaine Ruth Aksland.

   Mr. Christensen served his country with both the U.S. Navy during WWII in Pacific Theatre and with the U.S. Army as a Warrant Officer during the Korean Conflict.  He continued to his serve his community after the military while working with the Racine Police Department for over 37 years.  He was one of the few to work his way up from a beat officer to Chief.  He served as Chief from 1984-87.  In addition to his police work, Mr. Christensen was a graduate from the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, VA.  This as well as being chief were the high points of his law enforcement career.

   Mr. Christensen was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed hunting.  Above all he was a man who loved caring for his family.

   In addition to his loving wife, Elaine, he is survived by his daughters, Marlene (Boris) Chekanoff of Cape Coral, Fl., Cindy Mortensen of Racine; 5 grandchildren, Kristen (Ryan) Dembroski of Milwaukee, Nicole Chekanoff, Kari (Jerry) Mikulanec, Jennifer (Dan) Sinnen, Stephen Pichelman all of Racine; 2 great grandchildren, Amalia and Logan Mikulanec;  sisters, Joyce (Warren) Davis of Scottsdale, AZ, Carol Wostal of Kingman, AZ; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Rudolph (Beverly) Aksland of Highland Park, Il, Nancy Jaskulske , Malvin (JoAnn) Aksland both of Racine; as well as many dear nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father, Thorwald Christensen, mother, Martha (Piller) Christensen, and step-mother, Marion Christensen.        

    There will be a visitation in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5-7 p.m.  The celebration of his life and funeral will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.  His interment will follow with military honors at West Lawn Memorial Park.  There will also be a visitation in the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Zion Lutheran Church. 

  A very special thank you to his caregiver, Ankha, for all that you have done for the Christensen family.