Roger B. Christensen passed away on Monday, August 10th at Sylvan Shores Health in LaPorte, TX. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery south of Mandan, ND on Monday, October 19th at 11 AM. A brief service will take place in the chapel. Internment arrangements are through Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, ND.

Roger was born on February 3rd, 1947, to Elmer and Dorothy Christensen in Billings, Montana. He spent his childhood years in Montana and Wyoming returning to the Helena Montana area for High School and graduated from Helena High School in 1965. Some of his fondest memories growing up were spending summers at the family’s Dude Ranch the “63” outside of Livingston, Montana a working dude ranch on the National Historical Register started by Roger’s Dad, aunt, and uncle in 1929. He also enjoyed being “big brother” to his three nephews going camping and fishing with their family as well.

After High School Roger enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman. He would leave school to enlist in the United States Air Force and do his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas. Afterwards he was assigned to Minot Airforce Base in Minot, ND where he was in the Security Police. He was later sent to serve at Kunsan Air Force Base in South Korea. After he was discharged, he married Jeannette Hintz at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND, whom he met while she was attending Minot State University and he was at the air base. Shortly after the wedding they would move to Bozeman where Dad finished his degree from Montana State. After graduation they moved to Hazen, ND where he taught History and Social Studies at Hazen High School. Son Brad was born in Hazen, ND.

Later the family would move to Bismarck where Roger worked for the ND Bicentennial Commission, the North Dakota Highway Department, and the North Dakota Safety Council. Son Seth was born in Bismarck. The family would move to Pennsylvania in 1986 where Dad worked for the Western PA Safety Council. In 2009 after being semi-retired Dad moved to Texas to be closer to his son’s family and warm weather. He would work for Men’s Warehouse until the end of 2013. Dad always enjoyed being well dressed- shirts, ties, suits, and shoes! After he retired Dad would reflect that his greatest job was teaching. In 2018 his health started to decline and in late 2021 he entered a skilled nursing facility.

Dad leaves behind his sons, Brad (Anne-Marie), granddaughter Ella, Bismarck, ND and Seth (Liz), granddaughter Zoe Pittsburgh, PA. He is also survived by his three nephews- Bill McRae, Billings MT, Doug (Tammy) McRae, McAllister, MT, and Donald (Barb) McRae, Billings, MT. He is also survived by his former wife- Jeannette of Monroeville, PA, former brothers’ and sisters in laws and nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Dorothy Christensen, his grandmother Else Christensen, Sister Rosemary McRae and Brother-in-Law John McRae as well as many beloved aunts and uncles.

A special Thank you to the numerous health care workers who have cared for our dad over the past 5 years as well as Brad’s sister-in-law Kate McMains as a caregiver as well as friend Preston Adkison who visited Dad and brought him treats in his final years. We are so thankful to Hospice Care Team that was with Dad for his final week.