Gene D. Christensen, 89, of Elk Grove Village for 61 years, passed away May 17, 2022. Gene was the beloved husband of Elaine Christensen nee Walczak for 69 years; loving father of Beth A. (Mike) Dill, Gene M. Christensen, and Donald S. (Melissa) Christensen; dear grandpa of Michael, Adam, Shelbi, Raymond, Laura, and Ava Grace; and cherished great grandpa of Edward and Joseph. Gene and Elaine became sweethearts in 1951 when he helped to fix her car and taught her to drive. They married in 1953 after he was drafted to the Korean War. After leaving Korea in 1955 as an Army Sargent, Gene loved Elaine very dearly for the next 67 years and never left her side. Gene retired from Illinois Bell after 30 years, then established his own telephone business with all three of his children that he ran for another 25 years. Gene, known as "Chris" by some, was a lifelong Cubs fan, an avid softball player (including five Chicago city championships) and he loved to fish for salmon on Lake Michigan. He enjoyed traveling and going to casinos with Elaine and adored playing with his grandchildren. Gene spent many happy times playing with them in his backyard pool, which he took great pride in. A visitation will be held Thursday, May 19, from 3 to 8 PM at Grove Memorial Chapel, 1199 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village with a chapel service Friday, at 10 AM. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Palatine. For more info, 847-640-0566 or www.grovememorialchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Disabled American Veterans at https://secure.dav.org