Memorial service held for Dr. Mark Christensen

A memorial service was held Thursday at Countryside Community Church in Omaha for Mark Christensen, M.D., a clinical associate professor of surgery in the UNMC College of Medicine, who died July 16 at the age of 61 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

A 1973 graduate of the UNMC College of Medicine, Dr. Christensen did his general surgery residency at UNMC and a one-year fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at the University of Minnesota.

“Dr. Christensen was a highly respected surgeon and just a very special person. He was incredibly good hearted and an all-round great guy. He will be missed.” Robert Wigton, M.D.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. J.B. and Dorothy Christensen, and his brother, Curtice. Survivors include his wife, Cheri; daughters, Cara (Brian) Campbell, Chelsea (Aaron) Craig; son, Matthew; sister and brother-in-law, Julie (Marv) Giannangelo; numerous nieces and nephews.

“Dr. Christensen was a highly respected surgeon and just a very special person,” said Robert Wigton, M.D., associate dean for graduate medical education in the College of Medicine. “He was incredibly good hearted and an all-round great guy. He will be missed.”

An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Christensen enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, gardening, reading and woodworking.

One of the suggested memorials requested by the family was the LeeRoy Meyer Award Fund through the University of Nebraska Foundation, 8712 W. Dodge Rd., Omaha, NE 68114, phone 402-502-0300.