Duane A. Christensen was born on June 14, 1937, on the family farm east of Harlan. He was the oldest son of Dale A. and Alma L. (Larson) Christensen. He attended country school and graduated from 8th grade at Center Township #2 in Rabbit Hollow. Never one to walk any more than necessary, he rode his pony to school. Although he had the opportunity to attend high school in Harlan, he would have had to walk two miles to the bus pick-up.
In the late 1950s, he worked for the county on their survey crew and worked as a hired hand for numerous area farmers before starting his own livestock and grain farming operation. Spring planting and any kind of “dirt work” were among his favorites. He also participated in the tractor rodeo at the Iowa State Fair.
On September 14, 1963, he married Marlene K. Maassen at the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut, Iowa. They were privileged to have 54 years together before Marlene passed away in 2017. They lived in the Harlan area before moving to the Christensen home place in 1975. They became the parents of two children, Craig David and Michelle Renee. Duane was often seen supporting them at various activities such as 4-H, FFA, tractor pulls, car races, and horse shows.
Fuzz was an Honorary Chapter Farmer with the Harlan FFA and was inducted into the Shelby County Fair Hall of Fame in 2001. In the spring of 2024, Fuzz and Marlene were awarded the “Allis Connection Hall of Fame” award, an honor he was thrilled to receive. This past July, he joked that he had not missed a Shelby County Fair in 87 years. In addition to farming, he also worked part-time for Alloway-Rau and made many deliveries for Sorensen Equipment.
Anyone who knew Fuzz also knew that Allis-Chalmers, or “Orange Power,” flowed through his veins. Over the years, he used, collected, and traveled to show numerous A-C tractors and implements. He and Marlene attended several shows each year and gained many cherished friends along the way.
Duane “Fuzz” Christensen passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn at the age of 87 years, two months, and 27 days.
He is survived by his son, Craig (Holly) Christensen and their daughter, Carly Christensen, all of Harlan; his daughter, Michelle Selken of Conrad, and her children: Seth Selken of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Melanie (Brady) Wagner of Gladbrook; brothers-in-law: Terry (Deb) Madsen and Keith Madsen; as well as many extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marlene (November 17, 2017); and sisters-in-law: Sheryl Madsen and Nancy Madsen.
Private Graveside Services will be held in the Bowman’s Grove Cemetery, rural Harlan, Iowa. For those wishing to honor Fuzz’s memory, memorials may be sent to the family at 1150 Quince Road, Harlan, IA 51537, to be distributed later to the organizations that were important to him.
