Major (Ret) Jan Christenson

Major (Ret) Jan Christenson USAF, 55, of Bonners Ferry, ID, passed away on Sunday November 29, 2009 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Jan was born on December 19, 1953 in Quonset Point, Rhode Island to Eric and Betty Christenson.

He grew up and attended schools in Sunnyvale, CA and graduated high school in Bonners Ferry, ID. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Chapman University.

Jan enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1972 and was stationed in Mtn. Home, ID, where he met Laurie. Jan married Laurie McGraw on June 22, 1974 in Superior, WI. They traveled the country during Jan’s career; he received his officer commission in 1980, and later settled in Las Vegas, NV. Jan retired from the Air Force in 1995 and moved to Bonners Ferry in 2003.

Hobbies include hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding and restoring vintage vehicles. He was a president of the board of the North Bench volunteer fire department as well as a member of the Boundary County Planning and Zoning Committee.

He is survived by his wife Laurie Christenson in Bonners Ferry; two sons Jan (Amy) Christenson of Superior, WI, and Jeremy (Brandie) Christenson of Mountain Home, ID; one grandchild Abigail; parents Eric and Betty Christenson of Bonners Ferry, ID; and one brother Eric (Marylyn) Christenson of Hayden, ID.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 10, 2009 in the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior. Visitation will resume at 10:00 AM on Friday, December 11, 2009 and continue until the 11:00 AM funeral service at the funeral home with Pastor John Soshea of Abundant Life Tabernacle, Duluth officiating.

Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Superior with Military Honors accorded by the Thomas F. Stein VFW Post #1091 and Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435 Combined Color Guard.