Obituaries for March 25, 2009

Nils Christensen

Nils Perry Christensen, 71, of Baker City, died March 17, 2009, at his home.

A celebration of his life will be scheduled for a later date. 

Nils was born April 28, 1937, in La Grande to Alan W. and Mildred S. (Murray) Christensen. He graduated from La Grande High School and attended Eastern Oregon University for two years. He went on to take some vocational training in boat building.

From 1956 until 1961, Nils was in the Oregon Army National Guard. He was in the HHC 1st BC, 186th Infantry and attained the rank of Master Sergeant. In December of 1961, Nils married Joyce M. Hughes and they were divorced in 1983. In 1988 he married Lynn Henderson.

Nils enjoyed gold mining, woodworking, drawing, hiking, geology, and playing guitar. He was also a gifted singer. He was a member and co-founder of both the Sumpter Valley Railroad, the Cracker Creek Museum of Mining and a member of the First Church of Christ Science.

He was also a skilled welder, ironworker and woodworker. Nils was a man of many talents, including heavy equipment operator, and he worked several years as a logger, miner, rancher and even spent a few years as a deckhand/engineer on a tugboat, towing barge freight up to Alaska in the Bering Sea. He completed a wooden boat building school at Seattle Community College and had a superb knowledge of geology.  At one time he owned Elkhorn Lamp and Ironworks and was a partner in Farm and Industrial Service Co. 

Nils will be remembered for his contagious passion for the preservation of the history of Eastern Oregon, the place he loved so much. He never ceased to express his love and support to his family and friends, and always spoke of his sons, Dan and Wes, with great pride. He was a man true to his Christian faith. Those who knew and loved him will remember him with affection and joy.

Nils is survived by his wife, Lynn Christensen of Baker City; two sons, Dan W. of Pasco, Wash., and Wes A. Christensen and his wife, Cloie of Baker City; a brother, Eric M. Christensen of North Carolina, and a brother-in-law, Jim Henderson of Redlands, Calif., and six grandchildren: Colton, Payton, Jenna, Brenna, Chanda and Cheyanne.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Roald S. Christensen.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sumpter Valley Railway Restoration, the Cracker Creek Museum of Mining or to the charity of one’s choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.