HR1237 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1237 LRB095 20934 KXB 49885 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois State Representative Ray Christensen of Morris, who passed away on April 21, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Ray Christensen was born May 11, 1922 in Dwight, the son of the late Einar and Margaret Broderick-Christensen; he was raised and educated in Morris and was a graduate of Immaculate Conception Grade School and Morris Community High School; and

WHEREAS, He was a decorated World War II veteran of the United States Army Air Corp, having served in the European Theater of Operations from January of 1943 until being honorably discharged in October of 1945; in September of 1948 he married Norma Fiori in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris and she preceded him in death in April of 1984; in November of 1985 he married Mary Curl and she also preceded him in death in 1996; and

WHEREAS, He worked as a butcher for 25 years and in 1953 purchased The Lisbon Locker Plant, which he owned and operated for 21 years; in 1971 he was elected to the Morris City Council and was the first Democratic Alderman; he also served on the Morris High School Board of Education from 1966 to 1972, serving as president in 1971 and 1972; he was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, the American Legion, the Morris VFW, and the Morris Moose Lodge; he was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, fisherman, and card player; and

WHEREAS, He was elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives in 1976 and served six terms until 1989; during his time in the House of Representatives he served on the Committees on Aging (Chairman); Agriculture (vice-chairman); Counties and Townships; Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources; and Small Business; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Norma; his second wife, Mary; his brother, Maurice Christensen, and his sister, Helen Foss; and

WHEREAS, Ray Christensen is survived by his three sons, Guy (Janis) Christensen, Gary "Chao" (Melinda) Christensen, and Gregg (Dani) Christensen; his seven grandchildren, Kelly (Dan) Mitchell, Katie Christensen, Nicole Christensen, Cody Christensen and Casey Christensen, and Sydney Christensen and Peyton Christensen; his great-grandson, Jace Mitchell; his sisters, Evelyn (Ernest) Roost, Betty (Robert) Smith, Margaret (Peter) Ruffatti, and Patricia (the late Burl) Townsend; his brother, Lawrence "Lefty" (Teresa) Christensen; his sister-in-law, Alice Comrie; his special companion of 12 years, Bobette Yurechko; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of former Illinois State Representative Ray Christensen; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of former Illinois State Representative Ray Christensen as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.