Obituary of James Christensen

James R. "Jim" Christensen, 80, of Zion, Illinois, died on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan. Jim was born October 26, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, grew up in Spooner, Wisconsin and moved to Zion in 1946. He was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church of Zion. Jim retired from Coca-Cola in 1976 after 25 years and then went to work for the City of Zion, retiring in 1995 as the Superintendent of Streets. He was a member of Zion-Benton Moose Lodge #667, was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed his time spent in Gordon, Wisconsin. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Betty; children, Connie (Randy) Snyder of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, Cindy (Glenn) Jensen of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, David (Debrah) Christensen of Racine, Wisconsin, Diane (Philip) Dickman of Wasilla, Alaska and Janice Booker of Beach Park, Illinois; fifteen grandchildren, Ross, David, Cory, Tonya, Jodie, Katie, Casey, Kristen, Michael, Jared, Tracey, Eric, Samantha, Troy and Lauren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one sister, Carol Christensen of Zion. He was preceded in death by his son, James, in 2004; his father and mother, James and Ida Christensen; and by one brother and one sister. Visitation will be Monday, July 19, 2010, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 20th, at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church, 2935 Sheridan Road, Zion, Illinois, Pastor Kwadwo Ntim officiating, with private cremation to follow.