Chris Christensen 1937-2017
Gerald M. “Chris” Christensen, 79, Topeka, died Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Aldersgate Village in Topeka after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born June 20, 1937, in Denver, Colo., to adoptive parents Dr. Bryant E. and Mildred Christensen. He graduated from Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in Lake Geneva, Wisc., and received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Kansas State University and Emporia State University.
Mr. Christensen’s teaching and coaching career began in Whiting, and he taught at Jamestown and Norton before joining the staff at the Kansas State Department of Education in 1965. He retired in 1998 as Director of School Safety Services.
He married Karen A. Palmer in 1958. She survives.
Other survivors include three children, Bryan Christensen and wife Claudia, Eric Christensen and wife Kelly and Cindee Williams and husband Kyle; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Mr. Christensen’s life will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Manchester Parlors at Aldersgate Village, 7220 S.W. Asbury Drive, Topeka. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Topeka. Private family burial will be held in Mount Hope Cemetery and Funeral Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3625 S.W. 29th St., Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614; or Girls on the Run, a program of YWCA Northeast Kansas, Northeast 225 S.W. 12th St., Topeka, KS 66612.
