Lauren Christensen

George Lauren Christensen passed away on December 21, 2025 in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. His funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Quarry Rock Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be in the Riverview Cemetery, Dell Rapids. 

Lauren Christensen was born February 23, 1932 near Dell Rapids, SD, the son of George and Esther Christensen.  He grew up on a farm northeast of Dell Rapids and attended school in Trent and Egan, graduating from Egan in 1950. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve and started farming with his father. He proudly served in the Naval Reserve for 8 years. He was deeply committed to his country, family, and faith. By age 16, his passion for flight had taken wing, and he flew solo for the first time. He often "borrowed" the neighbor's plane to fly the nine milesto football practice, a fact that perfectly captures his ingenuity and bold spirit.

His summers were spent in the embrace of the Big Sioux River, where he swam, floated, and found peace. In 1949, at a church function, he met the love of his life, LaDonna Andersen. They were married on August 30, 1951, a partnership that would last over 70 years, full of laughter, deep love, and shared purpose. Lauren and LaDonna welcomed two sons into their lives: Rob in 1955,and Paul in 1959. They made their home on a farm northeast of Dell Rapids. They grew hybrid seed corn for Sokota for 28 years. They fazed out of farming and moved into Dell Rapids in 1994.Upon retiring, he turned his passion for community and nature into something enduring: he developed and established a park and recreation area that became home to Trent River Camp. This treasured place now serves numerous clients from Dakotabilities and Lifescape, School for the Deaf as well as local homeschool children—providing connection, nature, and joy to all who visit.

He was often found lying in the grass with a canine friend nearby, soaking in the serenity of God's creation. Summers spent operating a sawmill on Kodiak Island, Alaska, only added to his collection of adventures and stories—each one told with that signature sparkle in his eye.

After more than seventy years of marriage, Lauren's beloved wife, LaDonna, passed away on October 1, 2021, leaving an immeasurable void in his life. In the years that followed, Lauren was blessed to meet his special friend, Marie, whose companionship, warmth, and shared love of life brought renewed joy and comfort. Her presence was a true blessing, reminding him—and all who knew him—that love, laughter, and connection can continue even after great loss.

Above all, Lauren served the Lord every day of his life. His ministry was simple but powerful: to offer kindness and a smile to everyone he  met. Through that, he touched countless lives.

He lived fully, laughed often, and loved deeply. His legacy is written not only in the fields he walked, the skies he flew, or the camp he built- but in the hearts of all who knew him. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, one infant grandson, Jason John, his wife, LaDonna and his brother, Dale.

Lauren is survived by his sons, Rob and Paul and his granddaughters, Cara and Dana; great-grandchildren , Brayden and Avery and his brother, Merlyn (Janet) Christensen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Trent River Camp addressed as Lifescapes/Trent Rivercamp. Cards and memorials can be mailed to: Paul Christensen, 576 155th Ave NE, Mayville, ND 58257.

The service will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/KahlerFuneralHome starting five minutes before the start of the service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lauren Christensen, please visit our floral store.