Milbern Ward Christensen, 90, New England, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020, following a brief illness at Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center, Elgin. Milbern’s Funeral Service will be 10 a.m., Friday, September 18, 2020 at Ladbury Funeral Service with Pastor Janel Kolar officiating. Inurnment will take place at the New England City Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday.
Milbern was born August 2, 1930, to Christian “C.M.” and Agnes (Dubisar) Christensen at the family farm northwest of New England. Milbern attended school at rural New England County School until the 9th grade when he quit to help farm and ranch the family homestead.
He married Donna Muecke on June 25, 1951 and they had five children, Linda, Rodney, Randy, Thomas and Dean. They divorced and Milbern met Bertha Zenker Clark and they were married on October 20, 1960. They took over the family farm and remained there until Milbern retired due to health issues. He was employed by the Slope County Commissioners as a road maintenance operator in 1975. Milbern took great pride in maintaining the county roads and lanes, and his children often hear stories from county residents of how they miss him and how he kept the roads up.
Milbern loved fishing in his spare time, and he and Bertha were active members of the former First Congregational Church in New England.
Milbern is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Bertha; children, Linda (Duane) Miller, Rapid City, S.D., Randy Christensen, Wagner, Okla., Tom (Beckie) Christensen, New England, and Dean (Maria) Christensen, Clear Lake, S.D.; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Gloria Hansen, Williston; sister-in-law, Arlene Christensen, Koelfhorn, Spearfish, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Rodney; step-daughter, Sharon Clark; brother, James Christensen; sister, Cherie (Bill) Morris; and daughter-in-law, Joann Christensen.
