James Christensen
James L. Christensen, 85, of Westby died Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Sheridan Memorial
Hospital. Memorial Services will be conducted 10AM Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at
Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Barb Westhoff officiating. Burial of cremated
remains will immediately follow at Emmaus Cemetery.
James was born July 18, 1922 the youngest of five children born to Art & Karen
(Christensen) Christensen on a farm near Antelope. He played guitar in his early years, and
met his future wife, Elavon Nelson, while playing at a school house dance. They married on
April 8, 1944 in Plentywood at Plentywood Lutheran Church. James and Elavon spent their
entire lives together on the family farm near Westby.
He worked very hard to build up the farm that he was devoted to and loved. James was a
skilled carpenter, constructing many of the farmstead buildings, and later he and Don built
Don and Karla’s house. James was an accomplished welder and could build anything that
farm- life required. James designed and built a truck- mounted bale loader, and he also
made sand box backhoes and can crushers for his grandchildren.
James L. Christensen, 85, of Westby died Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Sheridan Memorial
Hospital. Memorial Services will be conducted 10AM Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at
Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Barb Westhoff officiating. Burial of cremated
remains will immediately follow at Emmaus Cemetery.
James was born July 18, 1922 the youngest of five children born to Art & Karen
(Christensen) Christensen on a farm near Antelope. He played guitar in his early years, and
met his future wife, Elavon Nelson, while playing at a school house dance. They married on
April 8, 1944 in Plentywood at Plentywood Lutheran Church. James and Elavon spent their
entire lives together on the family farm near Westby.
He worked very hard to build up the farm that he was devoted to and loved. James was a
skilled carpenter, constructing many of the farmstead buildings, and later he and Don built
Don and Karla’s house. James was an accomplished welder and could build anything that
farm- life required. James designed and built a truck- mounted bale loader, and he also
made sand box backhoes and can crushers for his grandchildren.
| . . . . in Memory of . . . . |
He enjoyed animals of all kinds. He raised cattle, but also had goats, geese, chickens and one pig that reached 760 Lbs!
In his later years he looked forward to the spring arrival of the yellow finches in his backyard, where he also had abundant raspberry and
apple crops.
The family dogs became also great companions to him. He spent countless hours doing wordsearch books, and enjoyed hard candy
with countless cups of coffee. His hot buttered rums at Christmas were a family favorite.
James served as secretary of the Farmers Elevator Board; treasurer of Emmaus Church Council and a Washington School board
member.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Joanne Field; a brother Chester Christensen, and three sisters, Hilda O’Brien,
Mary Carr and Laura Bestland.
James is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elavon Christensen, who resides on the family farm near Westby; his son and daughter-in-
law Donald & Karla Christensen of Westby; their children, Branden of Rock Island, IL; Melissa (Carl) Cheetham and their daughter, Bo
Cheetham, of Sidney; Bryan Christensen of Moses Lake, Washington. James is also survived by his son, Les Christensen, of Westby;
his son-in-law, Ervin Field, of Gladmar, Saskatchewan, Canada; his and Joanne’s children, Tara Field of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada;
Justin (Christina) Field of Calgary, Alberta, Canada., along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood has charge of arrangements.
In his later years he looked forward to the spring arrival of the yellow finches in his backyard, where he also had abundant raspberry and
apple crops.
The family dogs became also great companions to him. He spent countless hours doing wordsearch books, and enjoyed hard candy
with countless cups of coffee. His hot buttered rums at Christmas were a family favorite.
James served as secretary of the Farmers Elevator Board; treasurer of Emmaus Church Council and a Washington School board
member.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Joanne Field; a brother Chester Christensen, and three sisters, Hilda O’Brien,
Mary Carr and Laura Bestland.
James is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elavon Christensen, who resides on the family farm near Westby; his son and daughter-in-
law Donald & Karla Christensen of Westby; their children, Branden of Rock Island, IL; Melissa (Carl) Cheetham and their daughter, Bo
Cheetham, of Sidney; Bryan Christensen of Moses Lake, Washington. James is also survived by his son, Les Christensen, of Westby;
his son-in-law, Ervin Field, of Gladmar, Saskatchewan, Canada; his and Joanne’s children, Tara Field of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada;
Justin (Christina) Field of Calgary, Alberta, Canada., along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood has charge of arrangements.
| 1922 - 2008 |
Remembering James
Lee & Bonnie Kohler
Havre, MT
lkohler@bresnan.net
It sadens our hearts for our family to suffer such a great loss, and our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Jimmie was a favorit of ours and we will always remember him as the quiet and happy thoughtful person we knew
him to be. Please except out appology for not making it to the funeral, but we just could not get away. Love to you
all, Bonnie and Lee
.......................................................................................................................................................
Tara Ford
Estevan, SK CANADA
fords@sasktel.net
Tara, Justin & Ervin. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy at the loss of your Grandpa.
Love, Tara, Pat & boys
.......................................................................................................................................................
Tannis Wock
Estevan Sk , Canada
Tara and family. So sorry to hear about your Grandpa our thoughts are with you at this diffucult time.
Tannis & Ron
Havre, MT
lkohler@bresnan.net
It sadens our hearts for our family to suffer such a great loss, and our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Jimmie was a favorit of ours and we will always remember him as the quiet and happy thoughtful person we knew
him to be. Please except out appology for not making it to the funeral, but we just could not get away. Love to you
all, Bonnie and Lee
.......................................................................................................................................................
Tara Ford
Estevan, SK CANADA
fords@sasktel.net
Tara, Justin & Ervin. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy at the loss of your Grandpa.
Love, Tara, Pat & boys
.......................................................................................................................................................
Tannis Wock
Estevan Sk , Canada
Tara and family. So sorry to hear about your Grandpa our thoughts are with you at this diffucult time.
Tannis & Ron