Lon L. Christensen

LOVING HUSBAND, DAD, POPI, BROTHER, AND FRIEND Lon L. Christensen, 67, Rockford, passed away Friday, November 18, 2011, in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 22, 1944, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of W. Lyle and Erna R. (Mills) Christensen. Lon married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen F. " Kathy" Mehlhorn in Waterloo on August 8, 1964. He served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman stationed in San Diego, California from 1963 until 1967. He was a proud alum of San Diego State University graduating in 1972 with a BA degree. Lon was a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1967 until 2002. He enjoyed playing golf, reading, family trips to the beach, playing with his grandchildren, family reunions, Motor Iowa with his brothers, coffee with his friends, and was a loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan. Lon was a member of the Former Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Kathy; daughters, Keli (Dan) Freedlund of Rockton and Shawn (Christian) Ralston of Rockford; grandchildren, Carter and Callie Freedlund; brothers, Ron (Jo) Christensen of Bettendorf, Iowa, Jon (Betty) Christensen of Des Moines, Iowa, Tom Christensen of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and Don (Susie) Christensen of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; sistersinlaw, Diana Christensen of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Patty Boleyn of Traer, Iowa; brotherinlaw, Kevin Mehlhorn of Waterloo, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, dear friends and grandpuppies, Coco and Baxter. Predeceased by his parents, W. Lyle and Erna R. Christensen and his mother and fatherinlaw, Florence I. and William R. Mehlhorn; niece, Tammy Mauer and nephew, Dana Christensen. Lons family extends special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at OSF St. Anthony Center for Cancer Care and Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center for their care and compassion. Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 23, 2011, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 22, and from 10:00 am until time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers it would be greatly appreciated if a memorial donation was made in Lons name to the FBI Foundation, 3717 Fettler Park Dr., Dumfries, Virginia, 22025. OSF St. Anthony Center for Cancer Care, 5666 East State St. Rockford, IL, 61108, or the Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center, 4215 Newburg Rd. Rockford, IL 61108.