Chris Jensen Albertsen, the son of Albert K. and Karen (Henriksen) Albertsen, was born October 31, 1903, on the Island of Aero in Denmark.

When Chris was two, his mother died, and he was raised by his father and his grandmother. Chris was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith in Denmark. He spoke his confirmation vows on October 1, 1917. He attended school in Denmark until the age of fourteen.

On October 24, 1921, he left Denmark by ship, arriving at Ellis Island in New York City, November 6, 1921. Chris turned eighteen while on voyage to America. When he arrived in New York City, he traveled by train to Carroll, Iowa, where he proceeded on to Gray, Iowa and was met by his brother, Mike Albertsen. His first job in America was picking corn by hand for 3 cents a bushel. Chris worked as a hired hand on the Christensen Ranch, north of Audubon.

Chris became a citizen of the U.S. on April 29, 1930. On June 4, 1930, he was united in marriage to Christine Sonksen in her parent's home near Gray, Iowa. Later they bought a farm in Douglas Township, Audubon County, where they lived for almost sixty years. Chris was a farmer at heart. He enjoyed his stock cows and fed cattle until he was over eighty years old. He liked gardening, having as many as three gardens at times. Chris will be remembered for his honesty, his contentment in life, and for helping his neighbors. Chris enjoyed family get-togethers. He never forgot his Danish heritage, and often reminisced about his homeland. Aebelskiver with prunes and rolle poise on Danish rye bread were among his favorite foods.

Chris was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township, Audubon County, and in October of 1990, became a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Audubon.

Chris and Christine moved to Friendship Village in Audubon in December of 1989. In March of 1991, they moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon, where Christine died on May 12, 1991.

Chris was a resident of the Friendship Home until August of 1994 when he moved to the Exira Care Center in Exira. He died at Exira Care Center on July 15, 1998, at the age of 94 years, 8 months, and 15 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brother, Mike Albertsen, and his wife Sidsel; his brother Albert Albertsen; his sister-in-law, Leona Deist; and his brother-in-law, Dethlef Sonksen.

Survivors include two daughter, Alma Wetzel of Council Bluffs; Helen Hansen of Hamlin; two sons, Alvin Albertsen of Audubon; LeRoy Albertsen of Manning; sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, Richard Wetzel, Eugene Hansen, Carolyn Albertsen, and Sharlene Albertsen. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Roger Wetzel of Council Bluffs; Lorraine Romey, and her husband, Stan of Templeton; Ronald Wetzel and his wife, Pam, of Audubon; Lynnette Kinney, and her husband, Rawlin, of Eaton, Colorado; Rolyn Wetzel, and his wife, Cheryl, of Ankeny; Richard D. Wetzel of Council Bluffs; Steven Hansen, and his wife, Joni of Omaha, Nebraska; Scott Hansen, and his wife, Kit, of Adel; David Albertsen, and his wife, Jacquie, of Littleton, Colorado; Debbie Wahlert, and her husband, Brad, of Mitchellville; John Albertsen of Denver, Colorado; Katie Bald, and her husband, Darin, of Audubon; Kristine Obrecht, and her husband, Tom, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Karl Albertsen of Audubon; seven great-grandsons; fifteen great-granddaughters; a sister-in-law, Lena Albertsen of Audubon; a brother-in-law, Bill Deist of Audubon; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Sonksen of Harlan; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Henry and Ella Sonksen of Carroll; nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Richard Burrack on Saturday, July 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Audubon. Interment was in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

The honorary casket bearers were granddaughters: Lorraine Romey, Lynnette Kinney, Debbie Wahlert, Katie Bald, and Kristine Obrecht. The active casket bearers were grandsons: Roger Wetzel, Ronald Wetzel, Rolyn Wetzel, Richard D. Wetzel, Steven Hansen, Scott Hansen, David Albertsen, John Albertsen, and Karl Albertsen.

The family met with friends on Friday evening, July 17, at 7:00 at The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.