Merlyn J. “Chris” Christensen

HUDSON, NH – Merlyn J. “Chris” Christensen, 89, Senior Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (Retired) passed away on December 25, 2025 after battling stage 4 lung cancer for the past three years.

Chris was born on a farm near Viborg, South Dakota during the great depression and dustbowl years on January 28, 1936 to Leonard and Karen (Sorensen) Christensen. At an early age, his family moved from the farm and lived in several towns in South Dakota and Minnesota until finally settling in Sioux Falls, SD. Chris attended public schools and graduated from Washington High School in June 1954.

Chris was a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard, 147th Field Artillery Battalion from November 1953 until January 1955 at which time he enlisted in the U.S Air Force. He served at bases in California, New Mexico, Illinois, Massachusetts and Korea. His duty assignments included NCOIC Headquarters Squadron Personnel, McLellan AFB, CA, Flight Simulator Technician at Walker AFB, NM and Westover AFB, MA, Radar Bomb/Nav Trainer Technician, Westover AFB, NCOIC F4D Flight Simulator, Kunsan AB, Korea and Superintendent, Air Crew Training Devices Maintenance, Chanute AFB, IL.

After his Air Force service of 21-plus years, Chris worked for Data General Corp., Wang Laboratories and

Sam’s Club before retiring.

While stationed at Westover AFB Chris met the love of his life, Beverly Johnson of Ashland, MA. They were married on September 7, 1958, sharing over 61 years together before Bev’s passing in February 2019 from complications arising from her Multiple Sclerosis. Chris was his wife’s primary care-giver for many years, providing selfless and loving care to his wife Bev. They were blessed with a son, Mark (Holly) of Ashburnham, MA and a daughter Susan (Steve) D’Angelo of Nashua, NH. Also surviving are two granddaughters, Sarah (Pastor Kyle) Wilcox, Dublin, NH, and Ashley (Aaron) Levesque, Nashua, NH, three great grandchildren Ethan, Autumn and Karson Wilcox, a sister Doris Eiler, Laguna Woods, CA, sister-in-law Carol (James) Ellsworth, Framingham, MA, and cousins, nephews and nieces.

In addition to his beloved wife, Chris was predeceased by his father, Leonard Christensen, his mother, Karen Snyder and brother Robert E. Christensen, Sr.

Chris placed his faith in and became a disciple of Jesus Christ in 1983, placing his confidence of salvation in his Lord.

A private burial will be held at the NH Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH.

A service of remembrance will be held at 10am on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Merrimack Valley Baptist Church, 517 Boston Post Road, Merrimack, New Hampshire.

The family wishes to thank all the caregivers, neighbors, and friends for their generous love and support while Dad was ill.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the NH Veterans Cemetery or a Christian organization are appreciated.