Damon C. Christensen, age 88, of Concordia, KS, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the North Central Kansas Medical Center, Concordia, KS. He was born on July 1, 1936, in Jamestown, Kansas, to Rufus E. Christensen & Ann (Madox) Parker.
Damon received his diploma through Concordia High School while in the military. Damon served in the U.S Navy for 24 years where he earned the rank of Sr. Chief Petty Officer. While in the Navy he served on the USS Lexington, USS John F. Kennedy, USS Enterprise, served at the U.S. Naval Station Guam and Rosy Roads Puerto Rico along with several stateside duty stations.
He married Betty Vrchota and to this union five children were born; they later divorced. On September 22, 1984, he married Laura (Lawrence) Waite in Concordia, Kansas, and gained four more children.
Damon was a member of the American Legion Post #76 in Concordia where he served in all aspects of leadership from local to national levels. He was also a VFW-Life member.
Damon is survived by his wife, Laura Christensen, Concordia, KS; his furbabies, Fai & Shawn; daughters, Laurie Schutz (Vince), Salina, KS, Cynthia Strait (Gary) & Teresa Benson, both of Concordia, KS; sons, Dean Christensen, Concordia, KS, Steve Christensen, Ballwin, MO & Paul Christensen (Paula), Goddard, KS; daughter-in-law, Retta Waite & son-in-law, EJ Workman, both of Concordia, KS; grandchildren, Heath Waite, Doreen O’Neil (Pat), Todd Benson, Darlene Pullen (Jeremiah), Margaret Nelson (Micah), Wade Christensen, Aaron Christensen (Amber), Connor Christensen (Emily), David Strait (Kyra), Caleb Strait, Marissa Montague (Austin), Trey Workman (Kiara), Davin Strait, Genna Strait (Gracie), Sarah Foos (Dakota), Hannah Schutz, and Rebecca Schutz; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; siblings, Dr. Bruce Champlin (Margie) of Surprise, AZ, and Joreen Wilcox (Steve): sisters-in-law, Linda Boist, Las Vegas, N.V. & Roberta Champlin, Concordia, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Mildred Christensen and his birth mother, Ann (Madox) Parker; son, Raymond “Buster” Waite and infant son, Dale Christensen; daughter, Katrina Workman; siblings, Robert Champlin, Ronald (Susan) Champlin, Loren Christensen & Ivona (Champlin) Kemp, Keith Christensen (Jane), Loren Christensen, and Jerry Reuther.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, with Celebrant Samantha Stensaas officiating. Burial will follow at St. Concordia Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Navy and American Legion Post #76. Visitation is Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 1-8 p.m. at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, Kansas, with the family greeting friends from 6-7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to American Legion Post #76 Children & Youth Fund in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901. For online condolences please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
