Roy Christensen

Roy Wendell Christensen, 95, of Buhl, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2014 at his home.
Roy was born February 1, 1919 to Anton and Jorgine Christensen who immigrated to the U.S. from Denmark in the late 1880's. They homsteaded on a farm in the Roseburg area of Nebraska. Roy was the last of eight siblings born to them.
Roy attended a 10 grade country school and left home to work on a dairy and graduate from high School in St. Edward, Nebraska in 1936. He then took Metalsmith classes in Newman Grove, Nebraska. He met the love of his life, Irene Young, at a dance in 1939, telling her that she was the best dancer he had ever danced with and thought he might just marry her.
He joined the Navy in January, 1942 and after training in San Diego, California, was sent to Aviation Metalsmith school at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. He immediately called for Irene to join him there and they were married on October 3, 1942. After training there, he was sent to Pensacola, Florida, where he was in charge of night flying and repairing aircraft for WWII. Their daughter, Connie and son, Galen were born there before his departure to Oakland, California, where he was ordered to install jet aided take off’s on PBM airplanes.
In August, 1945, he was scheduled to go aboard the USS Salisbury Sound ship when WWII was declared over. He was discharged in San Pedro, California. Roy hitchhiked home to his family in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he caught a ride with the man that invented the trigger that was used to set off the atomic bomb. This was a great story for him to often recall.
Roy worked for Wagner Trucking for two years before buying and starting his own livestock transportation business which he continued for 31 years. He was known for his promptness and always being on time for his customers. He always had a story on hand for them, which will be remembered by many.
He was especially proud of hauling the Junior Riding Club of Twin Falls to the Nampa Stampede Rodeo every July 14th, which he did for 17 years. He enjoyed each and everyone of those kids. After retirement, in 1976, he went to work for Ranchers Auction, along with his wife, who was the office manager, a job that they greatly enjoyed. He also enjoyed a Holstein Cattle operation with Robt. Norris of Kimberly, Idaho, and also cattle buying for feedlots in Nebraska.
Roy and Irene spent 25 years going to Mesa, Arizona for six months each winter. They would spend time dancing to the big bands, playing cards, pitching horseshoes, where Roy won eight Gold Medals in the Senior Olympics. They made many life long friends from all over the U.S. and Canada.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Victor, Rudy, and Erling; sisters, Helga, Helene, Edna and Dora, and one infant son, Lonnie Lynn, who passed away at birth in 1957.
He is survived by his wife, Irene of Buhl, Idaho; daughter, Connie (Tracy) Hansen of Buhl, Idaho; son, Galen (Janice) Christensen of Seligman, Arizona; three granddaughters, Tira Christensen of Ketchum, Idaho, Lori (Gary) Austill of Pocatello, Idaho and Kari (Tom) Daffin of Denver, Colorado and six great-grandchildren, Oliver and Preston Scott, Steven and Sarah Austill, and Esme and Bijou Daffin.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 pm, Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls, Idaho. Arrangements are under the direction of Farmer Funeral Chapel of Buhl, Idaho.