Obituary of John Rolland Christenson

John Rolland Christenson, 95, of Lindsborg, Kansas passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Bethany Home. Rolland was born on January 17, 1926 in McPherson County, Kansas to Elmer Lawrence and Mathilda Sophia (Carlson) Christenson. He married Aileen Gene Anderson on December 28, 1947 in Marquette, Kansas. Rolland was a parish pastor for 36 years, serving churches in Vilas and Chanute, Kansas and Marshalltown, Urbandale, and Davenport, Iowa. Following his retirement, he continued to serve for another 17 years as interim pastor and chaplain for multiple churches and institutions in Iowa and Kansas. His military service included 2 years of active duty with the US Navy and 18 years with the US Air Force as chaplain in the Iowa Air National Guard. Rolland was active in the communities of the parishes he served, contributing his time and talents to various organizations and institutions, including senior housing in the Quad Cities (Luther Manor of Scott County, Inc. and Luther Acres, Inc.), and Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. He was the author of several devotional books and books on family history. He enjoyed working with wood, photography, and being outdoors. Rolland was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters Eunice Marie Hoffhines and Betty Margaret Slater, and brother Amos Lawrence Christenson. He is survived by his children, Richard Roland (Margaret) Christenson, Stuart Eugene (Cynthia) Christenson, and Gayle Aileen (Eric) Unruh; sister-in-law, Erma Maxine Roberts; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Monday, November 1 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, Kansas. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 2 at 10:00 AM at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, 401 N. First Street, Lindsborg, Kansas with Pastor Amy Truhe officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany College, Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, or Bethany Home Association. Memorials may be sent in care of Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456.