Chesterton resident Norman E. “Stormin’” Christensen, 87, died Wednesday,
Sept. 2, 2009, after a short illness at home.
He was born March 29, 1922, in Askov, Minn., the son of Christian Thue and
Anna Kathryn (Mortensen) Christensen, who preceded him in death.
On Sept. 28, 1946, he married Mary Earley, who survives.
He is also survived by his five sons, Thomas Christensen, Craig Christensen,
Lawrence “Pudge” (Brenda) Christensen, Michael (Sharon) Christensen, and
Paul (Somhu) Christensen; three daughters, Margaret Christensen (Robert
Hanaway), Jane Christensen (Joseph Conrad), and Annette Christensen (Romie
Dybas); 22 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Arnold
(Mary Jane) Christensen of Port St. Lucie East, Fla.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl; and a nephew, Dennis
Christensen.
Norman grew up in Chicago and on Oct. 9, 1943, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air
Corps, now the U.S. Air Force, and during his two-year tour flew 42 missions
in the Pacific Theater with the 307th Bomb Group of the 371st Bombardment
Squadron, as the sperry ball belly gunner in a B-24 Liberator. He ended his
service on Sept. 25, 1945, with the rank of staff sergeant. He was a member
of the Chesterton Post 170 of the American Legion and a life member of the
Porter Post 2511 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
After the war Norman lived in Chicago with his wife, Mary, then settled in
Chesterton in the Pinney’s Court neighborhood, where they lived until last
year when they moved to Miller’s Assisting Living. For 53 years he worked as
a painter and decorator in Chicago. On his retirement he became custodian
for St. Patrick’s Catholic School.
Norman was an avid White Sox fan who knew no strangers and always had a
smile or helping hand for new friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church. He will be buried at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in
the Earley family plot.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at
White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. Second St. in Chesterton.
Memorials may be made to the VNA Hospice of Porter County, 501 Marquette
St., Valparaiso, IN 46383; or to the St. Patrick’s Building Fund, 638 N.
Calumet Road, Chesterton, IN 46304.
For information call White-Love at 926-1309.
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