***WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH OUR LIVESTREAM SOFTWARE. WE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RECORD ELMER'S SERVICE AND UPLOAD IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***

Elmer Carl Christensen, 82, peacefully passed with family by his side on January 14, 2025. Elmer endured 23 years of battling cancer from kidney, lung and throat which lead to other medical issues.

Elmer Carl Christensen was born on July 2, 1942, to Albert Carl Christensen and Magdalena (Maggie) Hauck Christensen at Sidney Memorial Hospital. This firecracker was a very busy young boy/man living in the Crane community for most of his adolescent years. He joined a brother (Dick) and sister (Barb) at that time and later a brother Larry. At 8 years old, he started driving a John Deere M tractor to help with the field work, which little did they know would become a start of many years of driving massive equipment. Since farming and chores consumed much of his time, including learning to milk cows at a very early age, he had very little time to play sports but truly loved all of them - always ready to play a game of basketball or to run around the track.

Not quite finishing high school, Elmer left during his sophomore year and went to work as a hired hand. In 1959-1963 he enlisted in the National Guard. He completed his GED in 1965. During this time, he met his future wife, JoAnne Maschera at an ice-skating party on the river. On October 15, 1961, they became husband and wife. To this union came Vicki, Cheryl and Greg. They started their life in Savage, MT before moving to what they would call home, Sidney, MT to start a new business with his brother Dick.

Elmer worked MANY jobs in his lifetime: from the Coal Mine, to owning a motorcycle shop, to paving many streets in Sidney and the surrounding area. This soon led to his many years in the oil industry: driving water truck, hot oil truck, setting up tanks and finally finding his home as the proud owner of Landtech Corporation, a saltwater disposal refinery. Over the course of 30 years, he was proud owner of 3 of the 13 saltwater disposals that he was influential to have started, completed and managed in Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota. In 2005 he sold Landtech claiming he was going to retire. In 2012, he constructed Monkota Salt Water Disposal in North Dakota. In 2016 he finalllllllly entered retirement.

What did retirement hold for Elmer... Many years of mowing lawn, gardening, snow removal, and started working on projects that he had forgotten that he loved so much - woodworking. Many remember Elmer at Christmas time for the helicopter and star on his roof and his many outdoor Christmas displays. The other holiday the neighborhood will never forget is the 4th of July. This day always started with a huge barbeque, hours of opening up fireworks to be ready to go and finally igniting the fireworks. The duals between him and his good neighbor Wayne Reid which sometimes lead to water gun fights will always be cherished memories.

Elmer will be remembered for his strong work ethic as many past employees can attest. He was a proud member of the Elks, Moose, API, Lower Yellowstone Masonic Lodge, and the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. He was a strong supporter of his kids’ many activities from football, wrestling, basketball, band concerts to being one of the instrumental groundbreaking members of the Sidney Eagle CANNON crew for football. He spent countless hours on gym time, bleacher time, and travel time. It was nothing for him to drive to Sheridan to enjoy a football, volleyball or basketball game and even a dance recital for Letty. Elmer and JoAnne had the pleasure of taking many trips together, which included the PBR yearly, Branson, Nashville, Alaskan cruise with all the family, Panama Canal cruise and Hawaii. He took pride in being the head usher for many years at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church with his dedicated helper, Roger Marker.

Elmer is survived by his wife of 63 years JoAnne; his children Vicki Criswell, Cheryl (Clay) Moran and Greg (Susan) Christensen; his grandchildren Lacey (James) Meissel, Caitlyn Moran (Trevor Brien), Colton Moran (Cassy Schumacher), Colin Moran, Shayla Christensen, Jordan Christensen, Parker Christensen, Crystal Moran (Jason) Coen, Cody Moran, and Kyle Moran; his great grandchildren Letty and Ryker Meissel, Jacob and Allie Coen, and Konnor Moran and Asa Burres; siblings Larry Christensen and Barb Sanders; sisters-in-law Emagene (Chuck) Quinnell and Patti Schwenke; as well as nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Elmer was preceded in death by his loving parents, sibling Dick Christensen, brother-in-law Kelly Sanders, sisters-in-law Renee Christensen and Louise Christensen; in-laws Alvie and Ruth Maschera, brothers-in-law Dick Maschera and Bob Schwenke and son in law, Dave Criswell.

How do you sum up 82 years into a short story? We asked the family to describe dad (grandpa) in one or two words. Here is their story: grit, generosity, determined, stoic, hardworking, dedicated, influential, resilient, loving, headstrong, devoted, driven, prankster, supportive, passionate and self-taught. All of these words sum up the man that we so looked up to daily and who will always be our hero.

Memorial Contribution

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