Raymond Christensen

RAYMOND CHRISTENSEN

Retired Member of the Illinois State House of Representatives, Ray Christensen, age 85 of Morris, passed away Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Morris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Morris, Illinois.

Born May 11, 1922 in Dwight, Ray was a son of the late Einar and Margaret Broderick-Christensen. He was raised and educated in Morris and was a graduate of Immaculate Conception Grade School and Morris Community High School. Ray was a decorated World War II Veteran of the United States Army Air Corp, having served in the European Theater of Operations from January of 1943 until being honorably discharged in October of 1945. In September of 1948 Ray married Norma Fiori in Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City and she preceded him in death in April of 1984. In November of 1985 Ray married Mary Curl and she also preceded him in death in 1996. Ray worked as a butcher for 25 years and in 1953 purchased The Lisbon Locker Plant, which he owned and operated for 21 years. In 1971 Ray was elected to the Morris City Council and was the first Democratic Alderman and also served on the Morris High School Board of Education from 1966 to 1972, having been president in 1971 and 1972. Ray was elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives in 1976 and served six terms until 1989. During his tenure in the House of Representatives Ray brought funding and major improvements throughout his 85th District. He was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, the American Legion, the Morris VFW and the Morris Moose Lodge. Ray was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, fisherman and card player.

Survivors include his three sons: Guy (Janis) Christensen of Morris, Gary "Chao" (Melinda) Christensen of Ottawa and Gregg (Dani) Christensen of Morris. Seven grandchildren: Kelly (Dan) Mitchell of Seneca, Katie Christensen of Bloomington, Nicole Christensen of Morris, Cody Christensen and Casey Christensen, both of Ottawa and Sydney Christensen and Peyton Christensen, both of Morris. One great grandson: Jace Mitchell; four sisters: Evelyn (Ernest) Roost of Madison, Wisconsin, Betty (Robert) Smith of Morris, Margaret (Peter) Ruffatti of Coal City and Patricia (the late Burl) Townsend of Dwight; one brother: Lawrence "Lefty" (Teresa) Christensen of Highland, Indiana; one sister-in-law: Alice Comrie of Seneca and his special companion of 12 years: Bobette Yurechko of Wisconsin, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Norma, second wife Mary, one brother Maurice Christensen and one sister Helen Foss.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block East of Illinois Route 47) in Morris.

Funeral services will follow on Thursday, April 24th at 10:00AM in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 516 East Jackson Street in Morris, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Ray's nephew Reverend Richard Smith officiating.

Burial with full military honors will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Morris.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Ray's memory to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund, 516 East Jackson Street, Morris, Illinois 60450 or Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. (815/942-2500)