Arnold "Chris" Delane Christensen, age 92, of Grand Rapids, MN died peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Majestic Pines Senior Living, Grand Rapids, MN.

Chris was born in the town of Mapleton, IA on a farm to Christian and Gladys Christensen in 1933. The farming life was not for Chris. After graduating from Mapleton High School, he headed to Chicago and attended Devry Technical Institute and became an Electronics Technician.

Chris was drafted into the Army for 2 years at the end of the Korean War as a field radio repairman. After a few short-lived technician jobs, in 1957 Chris began his 31-year career working for the Federal Aviation Administration doing installation and maintenance of a wide variety of air transportation related equipment. He met the love of his life Delores Olson in Minneapolis, MN and they were married in 1962. The couple lived in Burnsville, MN for the next six years and had a son, Todd, and later daughter, Julie, who had special needs. Chris's job took them to Milwaukee, WI in 1968 to work at the airport there. In 1978, there was an opportunity to move to Grand Rapids when a new long-range radar was going to be installed in Nashwauk, MN. Delores had numerous relatives in the Grand Rapids area and the move allowed them to be closer to them. Chris worked at the radar site until he retired in 1988.

Even though the farming life was not for him, Chris was an avid gardener and had a football field sized garden on land a few miles outside of Grand Rapids along the Mississippi River. He grew so much that he was instrumental in starting the farmers market in Grand Rapids in the late 80s that continues in some form today. Chris was also an avid hunter, especially deer. The deer were well fed from his garden. There were countless trips across the United States and Canada in some form of an RV including four summers in Alaska always cooking and canning whatever was gathered or caught. Chris could fix about anything and had an interest in anything mechanical, science and space related.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Delores; daughter Julie; sister Romona and brothers Walt and Chris. Chris is survived by his sister Janene; son Todd (Melissa); grandchildren Andrew (Haley) Christensen and Kaylen (Ben) Margotta; great grandchildren Ari Christensen, Henry and Carter Margotta.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 Noon.  Pastor Dave Anderson will officiate. Burial will be at Harris Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN. The rendering of Military Funeral Honors will immediately follow the funeral service at Rowe Funeral Home.