The Marion D. Christensen family moved to Kiowa, Kansas, in 1953. Dr. Christensen then
  started practicing medicine on July 4th, 1953, at the Kiowa Clinic.
     Dr. Christensen was born March 22, 1925, at Thomas, Oklahoma, on the farm home of
  Frank Dewey and Birdie Franklin Southerland Christensen.
     Roberta Lee Griffith Christensen was born November 15, 1926, at the farm of her
  parents, Harlan B. Griffith and Mary Catherine Myers Griffith.
     They were married on May 6, 1945, at Mutual Oklahoma, after Marion D. Christensen
  returned from overseas service in the Eighth Army Air Corps, where he was an Air Force
  ball turret operator in the European Theatre of Operations. He was on 35 missions and
  returned home with 4 battle stars and the Air Medal and 5 Oak Leaf Clusters.
     Dr. Christensen received his B.A. degree from Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma,
  in 1949. He then went tot he University of Oklahoma School of Medicine and received 
  his M.D. degree in 1952. He served his internship at the Wesley Hospital at Oklahoma
  City in 1953 and moved directly to Kiowa, Kansas.
     Dr. and Mrs. Christensen have four children:
     Marion Dennis Christensen, born June 2, 1946, at Enid, Oklahoma; Mary Kathleen
  Christensen Gilchrist, October 12, 1947, Enid, Oklahoma; Sherril Ann Christensen 
  Jackson, May 4, 1955, Kowa, Kansas; and Steven Clark Christensen, March 4, 1947, Kiowa,
  Kansas.
     Dennis Christensen married Shirley Joan Miller of Kiowa and resides on the Christensen
  family farm of rural Kiowa. Dennis served in the U.S. Army and saw combat action in
  Viet Nam and received 4 battle stars. Dennis and Shirley have one daughter, Renee Dawn,
  born November 26, 1977. Dennis went to Kansas University for one year and Northwestern
  State College, Alva, Okla., for one year before going to service.
     Steven Christensen married Carolyn Marie Wallis of Alva, Okla., and also resides on
  the Christensen family farm of rural Kiowa. Steve went to Salina Kansas, and Alva,
  Oklahoma, Vocational Tech Schools for 1 year.
     Kathleen married Larry Don Gilchrist of Seiling, Oklahoma, where she now lives in
  rural Seiling and has three children: Gregory don, April 28, 1967; Debra Gayle, January
  31, 1970; and Amber Kay, April 8, 1975.
     Sherril Ann married Russell Duane Jackson of Capron, Oklahoma, and they reside in
  Burlington, Oklahoma. They have a son, Michael Duane Jackson, March 6, 1978.
     Dr. Christensen, known by all as Dr. Chris, is a member of the American Board of
  Family Practice and is in the General Practice of Medicine. He is an Associate Professor
  of Rural Medicine of the Wichita Branch of Kansas University School of Medicine. He is
  past president of the South Central Tri-County Medical Society. He has served as Barber
  County Coroner and Deputy Coroner since the early 1960's.
     Dr. Chris is also a member of the Kiowa VFW., American Legion, Kiowa Masonic Lodge,
  and the Wichita Consistory, 32 degree. He was a member of the Kiowa School board for 7
  years and served with the Board of South Barber School District for 10 years as Treasurer,
  Member-at-large, and President.
     Dr. and Mrs. Christensen are members of the Kiowa Methodist Church.
     Roberta Christensen is a member of Kiowa Delphi Federated Club, Order of Eastern Star,
  and past mother advisor of the Order of Rainbow for Girls. She also serves as president
  of the Kiowa Library Assn.
     The Christensen family has lived in Kiowa for 25 years, which is longer than any other 
  place that we have been. Our two youngest children were born at the Kiowa District Hospital,
  and all five of the Christensen grand-children were born at the Kiowa District Hospital.
     Our roots have been firly planted in Kiowa and Barber County. We have profound feelings,
  loved ones, and many friends and close associations with Kiowa and Barber County, and we
  are now at home in Kiowa.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 129 
     Submitted by: Marion D. Christensen, M.D.