Verne Christensen

Cape Coral, Florida – Verne Christensen, formerly of Racine and Somers, died June 24, 2007. He was born in Racine to Henry & Nanna (nee: Ebbinsen) Christensen. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, B.S.M.E. In WWII, Verne served in the U.S. Army and later in the U.S. Air Force in Korea as flight engineer. On December 26. 1964 he married Connie Castagna of Connecticut. During their well traveled life they moved 26 times. Verne worked side by side with his dad in the family blacksmith shop in Somers. His dad was his role model from whom he learned and mastered the art of welding that became a valuable tool in his profession. Verne was an avid reader, a fantastic cook and host, but most of all he will be remembered for his quick wit, mentor and great sense of humour, even under the most difficult circumstances. He held a private pilot’s license. Verne was a past member of the International Teamsters Union; The Elks Club; and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Verne and his dad were volunteers for the Somers Fire Department Department Verne worked nationally and internationally, and was considered an unrivaled problem solver. He loved his work as an engineer and the many challenges from the companies he worked for; Klenzade Products, Economics Laboratories, Sealtest, Deltown Foods, Holly Milk (Kraft). In 1981 Verne was hired by a private contractor and employed as a civilian employee for the U.S.8th Army, Korea, in charge of the dairy operations for the Army and Air Force including the design and building of two new plants. From 1988-1991 he was in charge of the dairy operations at the Air Force Bases in Greece and Turkey. He will be greatly missed by the many friends and colleagues he met during his extensive career in the private sector as well as the dairy, baking, food processing, beverage and allied industries in the U.S., Korea, Japan, Greece and Turkey. He is survived by his wife, Connie of Cape Coral, Fl., Guy (Sherri) Christensen of Racine, Chris (Sylvia) Christensen of Brookline, Ma., grandchildren, Erica (Keith) Menor, Ca, Zack (Kora) Christensen of Kenosha, Adam (Karen) Christensen of Racine; 5 great grandchildren; his loving sister Edith (Robert) Simons, Kenosha, nieces; Nanna (Robert) LoCicero & family, Kenosha, Susan (Arthur) Beuchter, Tinley Park, Illinois, and Pamela (Michael) Barnes of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. He will be sadly missed by his extended family, Michael & Helen Castagna, Ct., Frank & Catherine Castagna, Ct., Mary Castagna Matro, Ct., Catherine Chiarolanza, Pa., Pat & Rosalie Castagna, Fl.& their families; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service for Verne Christensen will be held in the funeral home on Monday, July 9, 2007 at 11 A.M. with Rev. Richard Christensen officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. Private interment will take place at Graceland Cemetery.