Leon Christensen

Leon “Stogie” Nels Christensen, 90, of Reinbeck, formally of Hudson, IA, died on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Parkview Manor under the care of UnityPoint Hospice and his loving family by his side.

Public visitation for Leon will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service South Street located at 400 South Street, Waterloo, IA 50701. There will be a 4:00 p.m. rosary. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at St. Gabriel Church Holy Family Parish located at 21275 U Avenue, Reinbeck, IA 50669. Visitiation will also be held one-hour prior to services at 9:30 a.m. Leon will be laid to rest at the Hudson Cemetery directly following the luncheon. Memorial contributions may be directed in Leon’s name to his family or St. Gabriel Church. To leave an online condolence please visit www.hagartywaychoffgrarup.com. Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service South Street location is caring for Leon and his family.

Leon Nels Christensen was born on February 5, 1933, in Iowa City, IA the son of Eckhardt and Eleanor (Shepersky) Christensen. He attended Hudson High School, graduating with the class of 1951. On Febraury 16th, 1952, Leon was united in marriage to Dorothy F. Schlicht in Waterloo, IA. From the union the couple were blessed with four children.

Leon worked for Rath Packing, then John Deere, then he was a farmer and finally worked at Farm Service (FS) in Traer, retiring from that job in 1996. He was a proud member of St. Gabrel Church Holy Family Parish for many years and that church was always a big part of his life. He was an honorary Knight of Columbus. Leon loved the life he was blessed with and truly did enjoy all that he was blessed with. He was an avid fisherman and if he wasn’t on the Lake with a pole in his hands he was either in his garden or visiting the cows on the farm. Leon loved being outdoors but his number one passion in life was the time he got to spend with his family making memories. He adored his grandkids and great-grandkids and was proud of each and everyone of them. Leon had such a heart of gold and will be missed by all that had the honor of knowing him.

Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters: Jolene (Dennis) Eiklenborg, of Allison, and Angie (Brandon) Woodard, of LaPorte City; one son: Mike (Wanda) Christensen, of Dike; daughter-in-law: Karla (Tom) Wahner, of Washta; 7 grandchildren: Chad Eiklenborg, Stacy (Bruce) Heidt, Ryan Christensen, Kylee (Abe) Meyer, Seth (Bethany) Christensen, Jared (Emily) Christensen and Justin (Emily Helgerson) Macal; 7 great-grandchildren: Alysha Eiklenborg, Brenna Swart, Nevaeh Prugh, Zach Christensen, Landen Meyer, Adrian and Clarke Christensen and one coming in July; 2 sisters: Karen (Mike) Laquatte and Fran (Roger) Whorton; as well as 2 sisters-in law: Joyce and Barb Christensen.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy in 2004; one son: Randall in 1997; parents: Eckhardt and Eleanor; in-laws: Emil and Lois Schlicht; 3 sisters: Helen Christensen, Dorothy Sauer and Elaine Rich; 3 brothers: Walt, Tom and Larry Christensen; 3 sisters-in-law: Lorene Christensen, Dorothy and Willadean Schlicht; and 4 brothers-in-law: Neil Sauer, Virgil Rich, Kenny and Warren Schlicht.