Walter Christensen

Walter Christensen, age 85, of Aurora, passed away Friday, October 11, 2024, Westfield Quality Care in Aurora.
A Graveside Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 15, at the Aurora Cemetery. No Visitation. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com. Memorials may be made to the family to designate at a later date.  
Walter Christensen, the son of Erna and Ervin Christensen was born at Augsburg, Germany on August 3, 1939 and passed away on October 11, 2024 in Aurora, at the age of 85.
Walter grew up in Augsburg, Germany during World War II.   In 1948 his mother, Erna, married a U.S. Army soldier, Ervin Christensen, and moved to the United States.   Walter resided with his aunt and uncle in Germany until he was 18 years-old.   At that time he also moved to the United States to join his parents.
Walter survived many hardships in his youth in Germany, from daily bombings and air raids to hiding from Nazi soldiers.   Despite all this he never lost his sense of determination and perseverance.   He learned to speak English from his mother and American television, which he had never experienced before coming to the U.S.
Walter was a kind, caring, gentle soul.  He always had a smile for everyone and was quick to laugh at a good joke.
He is preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Erik Gray of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.