Donald E. Christensen, 89, Orofino
Donald E. Christensen passed away Feb. 25, 2012, at his home in Orofino.
Don was born April 25, 1922, in Southwick to George and Madolin Christensen. He attended school in Southwick, but quit his freshman year to work on the family farm.
Don married Adella Betts Sept. 1, 1943, in Lewiston, and to this union two children were born.
He served in the U.S. Army from March 29, 1944, to Nov. 4, 1945. He served 11 months in the European Theater of Operations and received three battle stars, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters for a wound he received in action and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Before entering the service, Don worked for four years for Potlatch Forest Inc., at Lewiston, driving all types of logging equipment, trucks, Caterpillar tractors and hauling logs out of forests with impossible roads in all kinds of weather.
Don and Adella lived and worked in logging camps on the Northfork of the Clearwater River and at the Finke logging camp by Pierce before moving to Orofino. He was an inventor, machinist and loved working in his large shop. Don invented the Christy Carriage used for skidding logs. He enjoyed gardening, boating, reading and fishing.
Don loved watching the wild animals around their home and watching the humming birds out their front window. He loved his dogs and cats that were his companions.
Don is survived by his daughter and husband; his son and wife; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Adella; his parents, George and Dola Christensen; brother, Ray Christensen; and sisters, Gene Ware, Anna Christensen, Lois Travis, Margaret Finney and Betty Jo Ross.
Lewiston Tribune, March 6, 2012, p. 5C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock