Russell Christensen

Russell ""Utty"" Clarence Christensen, 85, of Iron River, MI, was taken to be with his Lord on May 17, 2013. He was born December 23, 1927 in the family home on Ottawa Lake Road, to pioneer parents, Andrew and Charlotte (Borns) Christensen. He was the 11th of 12 children. He attended a one room schoolhouse called Hilltop School on Ottawa Lake Road, then the Stambaugh Schools. Russell married the former Dolores Kreski in the Assumption Church of Iron River and the couple was married for 58 years. Russell was a member of the VFW Ottawa Post #3134, having served in in the Korean War in the 13th Engineer Battalion of the 7th Division in the Philippines and Korea. He had a great love for his country, especially the U.P. When he returned home from serving his country, he never left the U.P. again. He said there was no place like it in the world. Russell started working in the woods at 12 years old with his father and brothers. They walked to the logging site about 3 ""miles away. They skidded with one horse and received $6.00 a cord for hemlock. He was a part of the ""greatest generation"" and believed in working hard for everything he had. He remembered sometimes going to bed hungry as a child. Growing up during the Great Depression taught him to be grateful for a roof over his head and food on the table. Russell was an independent logger and owned Christensen Logging until his retirement. He was a member of the Timberman 's Association, receiving many awards from them over the years. He loved being in the woods and ""breathing air that no one had breathed before"". He often made people smile with his quick wit. Russell loved his family and enjoyed spending time with all his grandchildren, especially raising his grandson Matthew who held a special place in his heart. He had a great love for children and animals, especially horses. He enjoyed his camp, country and western music, and playing his guitar and singing. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John Russell; brothers, Morris ""Mose"", Willard ""Mickey"", Henry ""Kelly"", Peter ""Pete"", and Charles ""Barney""; sisters, Mabel ""Coax"", Hazel ""Haze"", Agnes ""Hoots"", Doris ""Dubs"", and Mavis ""Mae Mae"". Russell is survived by his wife, Dolores; daughters, Dr. Ann (Don Homa) Christensen, Mary (Julian) Hernandez, and Cathi (John Honzik) Christensen; brother, Donald ""Ding"" Christensen; grandsons, Matt Christensen, Luke and Gabe Hawley; granddaughters, Jeni Wasson, Sarah Suhm, and Kalee Hernandez; faithful neighbor, Frank Harris and many nieces, nephews and extended family. Private family services will be held. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Russell Christensen, please visit our flower store.