VIII

VIII. EZRA ALLEN CHRISTENSEN (1897-1985)

b. 22 July 1897 Walnut, Shelby Co., IA
m. 22 April 1918 Wakonda, Clay Co., SD
d. 3 Sept 1985 Broken Arrow, OK of Parkinson's' & Stroke
Buried in Park Grove, Broken Arrow, OK

Farmer, Electrician

Pilot- "Jenny"
Owned Christensen Electric

Received his pilot wings from U. S. Army in 1918.

ALTA IRENE HIBBISON

b. 27 April 1897 Randolph, NE

Ran gift shop
Reading, knitting, T.V. game shows

Now spends her time with the 3 children. Enjoys reading 8-10 books at a time. She appreciates a good joke. Had to get a hearing aide because she was missing too many laughs. Time does not drag for her.

Celebrated her 90th birthday in April in Calif. She says that only her legs are 90 years old.

Ezra at Chanute Field
1918

From Wayne Christensen

Ezra A. Christensen enlisted in the US Army in October 1917. He went to basic training in Ft. Logan, Colorado. His next assignment was with the balloon corps a Ft Omaha. After a few months of this assignment Ezra was selected for aviation cadet pilot training. He had part of his training at Chanute Army Base in Illinois and received his pilot wings on the 4th of July 1918. He flew the JN4D which was called the "Jenny". After Graduation he was assigned to several bases in the south. One was at Columbus, Mississippi for gunnery training and then he was assigned to Brooks Field, Texas for some more training.

In November he was on leave on his way to New York and shipment to overseas. The armistice was signed before he could get shipped out from New York so the army sent him back to Texas where he was used as an Instructor pilot until he was released from active duty in the early spring of 1919. In December 1985 the University of Texas, Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio had a six month display of "The History of Aviation in Texas". The lead in picture (also shown in this chapter) was taken from his picture as a second lieutenant and enlarged to a four foot square picture that was used as the lead in display for the history of aviation in Texas

from Donald Schram

Wesley and I went to Wakonda S. D. to help Uncle Ezra move to Nebraska. We drove teams with loads. We crossed the Missouri River near Maskell, Nebraska. We drove the three loads onto a ferry boat. The boat settled on the sand and was stuck. We waded in the shallow water to push on the end of the boat until it was loose. By the time we arrived at Maskell it was dark so we stayed with Wesley that night. It took us another full day to drive over the hills to Allen.

From Wesley Schram

Uncle Ezra loaded my team on a truck to help him move from Wakonda to Allen. Ezra, Don and I spent half the night catching minorka chickens, loading a brooder house on wheels, a hay rack and wagon. We spent the first day on a trip to the Maskell ferry boat. The loads were so heavy that the boat rested on the sand bar. When we got to the Nebraska side, horses could not pull the loads up the incline. Uncle Ezra hired a truck to lighten the load. The next day was spent going to Allen. The horses were pretty well spent when we arrived.

From Rowenna Schram Erbach

We were able to enjoy Uncle Ez more than most of the other relatives because he moved back into the area where our family lived. He was a very good story teller and I used to enjoy it when he would talk of old times - of when he flew the "Jenny" during World War I and some of his earlier life experiences. He became quite well known in the area when rural electrification came and he had a big part in wiring, appliance supply, etc.

Aunt Alta was always a gregarious person with a flare for interior decorating and for relationships. In later years her gift shop in Allen became much more than that, for she always had the coffee pot on and encouraged people to stop in for a visit even if they didn't want to buy. She was always good at choosing a suitable gift for the occasion if they did want her to do so. She enjoys her family very much. We rejoice that she is still able to be quite mobile. She and Uncle Ez have given us many good memories.

From Rosemarie Christensen Prouse

Ezra exhibited the same great character in his last ill years that he did in his very active life. He had Parkinson's and accepted his growing helplessness, which must have been so hard for him, with dignity and determination not to complain or be difficult. He was appreciative of all that was done for him.

Alta cared for him in their homes in Nebraska and Oklahoma near Wayne and a short time in the nursing home.

They observed their 67th Anniversary.

A. ROSEMARIE CHRISTENSEN PROUSE

b. Bridgewater, McCook Co., SD
m. 16 Feb 1943 Allen, Dixon Co., NE

Retired teacher, available grandmother
square dancing, church

I loved my teaching but was ready to retire. I enjoy retirement for I have time to be an available grandmother to the grandkids who are all close. I have time to have Mom here. I have time to enjoy California. I'm active in California Retired Teachers' Association and church.

My entertainment interest is still in Square Dancing. It bridged the "gap" when Maynard died.

I made the trip to Scandinavia last year. It was great and I want to go back.

MAYNARD KEITH PROUSE (1920-1979)

b. 28 Feb 1920 Allen, Dixon Co., NE
d. 29 April 1979 of Cancer of the Lung
Buried in Live Oak Cemetery, Monrovia, Los Angeles Co., CA

Farmer, Locksmith

We left the farm in Nebraska in 1957 for health reasons and came to California to raise our family. We were involved in church, school etc. Our entertainment after the kids were gone was Square Dancing. It opened a whole world of wonderful people for us.

Maynard's death came suddenly. He only knew he had cancer for 5 weeks. We had enjoyed 36 years of marriage.

1. KAREN KAY PROUSE NEHRENZ

b. Galveston, TX
m. 1 Aug 1972

Elementary Teacher
church, travel

My husband and I teach elementary school. We enjoy travel in the summers. We have spent time in Europe, The California Gold Country and have made three trips to the mid-west. We look forward to visiting the East Coast in 1987. School is not out until June 19 so we cannot make the reunion.

DOUGLAS NEHRENZ

b. Vallejo, CA

Elementary Teacher
golf, computer

Doug enjoys playing golf and using his McIntosh computer. We are active in church- Christian Education, ushering and small groups.

2. ALAN LEE PROUSE

b. Wakefield, Dixon Co., NE
m. (1) Renee Dobie-divorced
(2) 22 March 1980 Duarte, Los Angeles Co., CA

Computer Hardware design
Model trains

Studied Physics in University of CA, Santa Cruz

U. S. Army Veteran of Vietnam era

Hobbies are computers and toy trains. Independent business owner-is Senior Computer Hardware Systems Designer.

SHERRIE J. COOK

b. Detroit, Wayne Co., MI

Mechanical Drafter
crafts, tutor

Assoc. of Science Degree in Engineering Technology
Academic awards in drafting, and in behavioral science. Won the Ward Munson Scholarship.

Attended La Verne Heights Presbyterian Church and Bible Study fellowship.

Volunteer tutor for California Literacy Campaign.

a. BRANDON LEE PROUSE (1971-1975) mother was Renee Dobie

b. 6 May 1971
d. 13 Nov 1975
buried in Odd Fellow Cemetery, Santa Cruz, CA

b. MATTHEW LEE PROUSE

b. Fountain Valley, CA

all athletics, collects stickers

Likes computer and video games as well as board games

c. JOSEPH BENJAMIN PROUSE

b. Arcadia, CA

Loves to draw and paint, creating on the computer

Wants to be an artist. Likes books and has excellent memory and imagination.

d. GREGORY EZRA PROUSE

b. Glendale, CA

Loves showers, car rides, climbing

Is size of a two year old. Rides scooter skateboard and should be able to ride his brother's three wheelers by 18 mos. Also has excellent memory. Has been compared in his temperament to his name sake Ezra Christensen.

e. Expected In July 1987

B. WAYNE ALLEN CHRISTENSEN

b. Bridgewater, SD
m. (1) 20 March 1943
(2) 16 June 1973 Omaha, NE

Retired A.F. Admin. Security
genealogy, pilot, camping, fishing, W.W. II

Graduate of Allen High School- Allen, NE
B Sc. -Univ. of Nebr Agr College

After my first 1 1/2 years at the Uni of Nebr I went into the Army during World War II. I graduated from the Army Air Force pilot training as a Second Lt. and flew B-29's in the Pacific. We completed 25 missions over Japan by the time the war ended. I got out of service and went back to Agriculture college and got my degree in General Agriculture the same day I received my recall orders for a second tour in the Air Force.

After that tour of 2 1/2 years I again was released from active duty and went to work for the Government in a Civil Service role in security with the U. S. Air Force. When I retired in 1978 I was the Chief of the Administrative Security Division for the entire Strategic Air Command in Offutt AFB Nebraska. When we retired, Juanita and I moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

We have many hobbies but I suspect that the most time is spent camping and fishing.

Wayne- remembering the 1935 family reunion

One of the big reunions that was held in Allen, NE at the old home place for Andrew and Mary Christensen was held in the summer of 1935. I think that this was the last and only time that all of Andrew and Mary's ten living children were at the same place at the same time- in addition to their spouses and most of the 36 or so first cousins.

One of the high lights of that reunion for us younger kids was all the good food and fun. I had a new bike with balloon tires and a speedometer. The rest of the day was spent seeing who could come down the big hill THE FASTEST by Grandma's house. Herb Schram and I set the record. Herb pedaled and I was riding on the handle bars watching the speedometer. We hit 47 miles per hour on the down hill run and coasted about a 1/2 mile to the next hill before stopping. I am sure that neither Herb nor I would even think of doing that today!

(1) DOROTHY HELEN NEFF (1923-1972) (mother of children below)

b. 27 Sept 1923

d. 13 July 1972

Buried in Ft McPherson Natl. Cemetery, Maxwell, NE

Went to Uni of Nebr. Agr. College for two years before marriage. Was the school secretary for the elementary school in Papillion, NE up to the time she died of cancer of the ovary.

(2) JUANITA MAY MULLINS (ROSS)

Ret. Manager of Product testing

High school in Mexico, MO

Completed two years of college and was a teacher until she married for the first time. Her first husband died about two years before Dorothy did.

Was manager of a product testing firm in Omaha until they retired and moved to Oklahoma.

1. JUDITH (JUDY) ANN CHRISTENSEN DILL

b. Lexington, Dawson Co., NE
m. 19 April 1965 Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE

Elementary Teacher

projects for boys, sewing

Grad of Uni of Nebr. Teachers College 1966
Masters Remedial Reading 1970 Northern State College, Aberdeen, SD
CAS early childhood education, Uni of IL 1978

Has taught continuously since 1965. Assignments included kindergarten, grades 1, 2, and 6, and remedial reading. Presently teaching grade 2.

"Before the boys were born I used to sew extensively. However, I am now lucky to get patches sewn on jean knees. Any spare time I have my boys manage to find projects for us to do, places to go, books to read,

ROSS ALLEN DILL

b. Oakland, CA

College Prof. of English
Gardening, African violets

Uni of Nebr 1965
M.A. English Uni of Nebr 1969
M.Sc. in Library Science, 1978 Uni of IL
Professor of English at Sauk Valley College, Dixon, IL

Has been very active in the Illinois Education Association and for past 6 years held the office of Chairman of Higher Education. Looks forward to the National Education Association Conventions every summer.

a. JASON ALLEN DILL

b. Sterling, IL

3rd grader
piano, drawing-cartoons

Has a full set of cartoon characters who inhabit the books he writes. Last year he won the Young Author's award for primary grade children in his school. School and piano lessons fill most of his time. "After hours" he devotes hours on end to developing creatures and vehicles from Legos and Robotics. He devotes after "after-hours" (9:00-10:30 P.M.) to reading Garfield and Bloom County Cartoon books and the Guiness Book. . .

Has an extensive collection of bones, including most of a cow and parts of a pig.

b. ADAM ELLIOT DILL

b. Sterling, IL

kindergarten Fall of '87

Attends preschool. His interests center around making things—and he can make almost anything if he has enough paper, tape, string etc. and scissors. Adam's main ambition in life is to be bigger than his brother!

3. WILLIAM (BILL) ALLAN CHRISTENSEN

b. Lexington, Dawson Co., NE
m. 7 June 1970 Omaha, Douglas Co., NE

Computer field
Vietnam
Remodeling 3rd Home, hunting & fishing, Cub Scout Pack Master

Grad of Papillian H. S.
Finished two years at Wayne State College, NE before he was drafted into army.
B.Sc. Education Univ. of NE finished after Army tour.

Trained as an Infantryman and was sent to Vietnam in 1968. He was in the country 26 days before he was injured in an ambush on Hamburger Hill and had to be air evacuated to Japan. His father writes "We were most fortunate that although four bullets left marks on him only a small scar in the leg reminds us how close that was."

Bill married Cathy Jo after getting out of the army and they both finished their teaching degrees.

Now updating education in the computer field and plans to change professions from teaching to computers this year.

CATHY JO WIGODSKY

b. Omaha, Douglas Co., NE

Teaching 6 grade
Lives for Bridge!

Master Candidate Elementary Education 1987
President NE Chapter of Organization for Rehabilitation Through Training (0. R. T.)

1 Master Point in Duplicate Bridge

C. EULALIE GRACE CHRISTENSEN MAXIM

b. Wakonda, Clay Co., SD
m. 17 March 1951 Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE

Registered Nurse, gift shop manager
golf, skiing, boating, mountain climbing, silversmith & lapidary, gardening

B. Sc. in Nursing- Wesleyan Uni. Lincoln, NE
Ed calls her "Professional Volunteer"

Met Ed while working at V. A. Hospital in Lincoln, NE. He was an Orthopedic Resident there while Eulalie was finishing her last year at Wesleyan.

Was State President of Michigan Medical Society Auxiliary in 1970. Also traveled with the American Medical Association Auxiliary.

Currently managing gift shop at St Joseph Hospital.

EDWARD S. MAXIM

b. Detroit, Wayne Co., MI

Orthopedic Surgeon

His parents were immigrants from Russia during their revolution. Worked way through Medical School and graduated at 22. After 40 years active practice is now semi-retired working 2-3 days a week doing orthopedic evaluations etc.

Eulalie writes "We've traveled quite extensively. Ed prefers to travel in the U. S. now, but I'm still looking forward to a few more international trips. The last trip was to see Ralph and Helen Christensen in Johannesburg."

1. BRUCE ROBERT MAXIM

b. Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE
m. 4 July 1975 Redford Township, Wayne Co., MI

Prof. Math & Computer Sci.
golf, sailing, choir, cross country skiing, bicycling, computers

B. Sc. Ed '73, M. A. '74, Ph. D. '82 all in Math Education
Sigma XI (Scientific Research Society) '85
Upsilon Pi Epsilon (Computer Science Honor Society) '87
Eagle Scout

NORMA JEAN SHUMAKER

b. Detroit, Wayne Co., MI

Registered Nurse
golf, sailing, knitting, cross stitch, Bible Study

B. Sc. Nursing 1975
Masters of Science 1985 Psychiatric Mental Health Nsg