*Merton Christensen, of Bilings, Mont., died April 2, 2014, thankful for 83 years of his life on his earth and trusting the Lord to take it from here. He was born in Minneapolis to R. Maynard Christensen and wife, Myrtle Snartemo Christensen. He grew up in Minnesota, first in South St. Paul, and then Leroy. He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul.

Merton served in the Air Force as a Chaplain, and then as Pastor to Lutheran congregations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. In retirement, he served for several years as a Financial Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services. He is remembered as a caring and honest person with a rare, but often hidden sense of humor.

He is survived by a daughter, Siri Baker; a grandson, Timothy Trang; and a sister, Lavonne Larsen.