WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Norman Wesley Christophersen, age 93, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 4th, 2014 at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born Wesley Norman Jensen on March 23, 1921, a son of James and Henrietta (Ingeborg Knudtsen) Jensen in Irene, South Dakota . When Wesley was was two years old Henrietta passed away following the birth of her 8th child. Subsequently he and three of his younger siblings were adopted. Rev. Andrew and Christianna Christophersen adopted him and changed his name to Norman Wesley Christophersen. Norman attended schools in Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Michigan graduating from Three Rivers High School in 1939. Norman attended Bob Jones University and Western Michigan University and served in the U.S. Navy as a Quartermaster second class during WWII on the LST 826. On March 23, 1941 he married Nancy Vivian Rifenberg. Norman spent most of his working years in the Mobile home construction and management business. Norman enjoyed playing tennis, card games, bowling, softball, crossword puzzles, golf, carpentry work, writing and Danish cooking. He especially loved spending time with his family. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Newberg in Jones, MI. He was called by the Lord to serve as a deacon in many churches including FBCN and First Baptist Church of Bainbridge, GA. Norman served in many phases of Christian ministries and was a true Christian witness to everyone he came in contact with.
Norman is survived by his wife Vivian Christophersen, Elkhart, daughters, Loma Bolt, of Sugar Hill, GA; Carol Ratliff, of Bainbridge, GA; Nancy (LaVern) Pridgeon, of New Braunfels, TX; son Chris Christophersen, of Beulah, MI; daughter Jerilyn (Daniel) Koop, of Greene, IA; two sisters, Clara Webb of Newport News, VA; Donna Thomas, of Cook, WA, 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, and numarous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, adopted sister Betty Zonker with whom he grew up, a grandson Philip Bailey, a son- in- law Thomas Ratliff, 11 brothers and sisters, and a sister- in- law Violet Rifenberg.
Relatives and friends will be received Monday, July 7th, 2014 from 4 – 6 PM at First Baptist Church of Newberg where Religious Services will be held at 6:00 PM. Pastor Mike Owen will be officiating. Interment will be in Poe Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society or First Baptist Church of Newberg. Arrangements were entrusted to Eley Funeral Home, Constantine. Online messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
