Carl Alan Christensen

Carl Alan Christensen passed away peacefully on May 29, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. Carl was born on January 31, 1942 at home in College Springs, Iowa to Newell and Charlotte Christensen. Carl loved to tell the story about how at his birth the doctor took his dad aside and refunded him $5 because he didn’t think Carl would live, given his premature birth. Baby Carl stayed in a bread pan on the oven door initially and eventually grew into a 6’3 strong man.

Carl will be remembered for his sense of humor, positive outlook, and can-do spirit. He married the love of his life, Terry Dianne (Bennett) Christensen on February 24, 1962. They were married in a blizzard, but he still liked to quote the Johnny Cash song “We were married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout”. They celebrated 64 years of marriage.

After graduating from Iowa State University, Carl pursued a career in civil engineering and land surveying for the U.S. Forest Service, where he was based in Flagstaff, AZ, Boonville, AR, Springerville, AZ, and Silver City, NM, and Madison, WI. He also worked as a county engineer in Fremont County, Iowa before finishing his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In Arizona, he worked with the Tohono O’odham tribe, the White Mountain Apache tribe, and the San Carlos Apache tribe.

Outside of work, Carl found joy in restoring a 100-year-old house in Hamburg, Iowa, and taking down a barn and rebuilding it board by board at his Casa Grande, AZ farm where his grandkids got to interact with llamas, chickens, goats, and sheep. As a

practical engineer and builder, his sound advice of “lefty loosie, righty tighty” will be remembered by all.

Family meant everything to Carl. He is survived by his wife, Terry, his three children and their spouses, his seven grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews, and his two brothers, John (Elaine) Christensen and Donald (Shirley) Christensen of College Springs.

A celebration of life will be privately held. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice or a charity of your choice.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Jefferson County Hospice Care and to East Jefferson Fire Department for their compassionate support during this time.