Ronald Christensen, 89, of Huron

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HURON — Ronald E. Christensen, 89, of Huron, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019, at SunQuest Healthcare Center in Huron.
His funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 13, at the First Congregational Church in Huron with burial to follow in Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 6 to 7 p.m. today at Welter Funeral Home in Huron, or one hour prior to the service at the church on Wedesday.
Ronald Erwin Christensen was born April 16, 1929, in Salem to parents Carl E. and Bertha (Roling) Christensen. He spent his childhood in Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell and Yankton. Ron graduated from Yankton High School in 1948. Ron attended Yankton College. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1954 from Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield. He then earned his Master’s in Arts from Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, Colo.
Ron was a member of the South Dakota National Guard serving with the 196th Regular Combat Team in Alaska and the 153rd Engineers in Huron. Ron earned the rank of sergeant and served during the Korean War.
Ron married D. Jean Baxter July 6, 1952, in Sioux City, Iowa. Ron began his teaching career in Highmore from 1954 to 1956. The family then moved to Huron were Ron taught at Huron Junior High School from 1956 to 1967, and Huron Senior High School from 1967 retiring in 1991. Ron taught Industrial Arts his entire career. Ron also taught Driver’s Education for 37 years, 35 of those years in Huron.
Ron was a member of First Congregational Church and sang in the choir for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Silvertones Barbershop Quartet. In his free time, Ron enjoyed taking many trips around the U.S.A. and Canada in their camper. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also a skilled woodworker, making many pieces of furniture for the church and for family.
Ron is survived by his wife, Jean of Huron; three children, Pam (Terry) Miedema of Huron, Daniel (Julie) Christensen of Madison Wis., and Nancy (Alvin) Haugan of Aberdeen; five grandchildren, Anne (Ron) Zemlicka-Hayes, Justin (Alisha) Miedema, Cassandra (Dan) Peck, Miranda Haugan, and Brianna Haugan; two great-grandchildren, Emma Zemlicka-Hayes, and Jameson Miedema.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, Carl E. Christensen in 1948; his mother, Bertha Christensen Burnham in 1990; his sisters, Maxine Parsons and Donna Wagner; and four infant sons.
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