Christensen centers on family pride

Above: Sen. Mark Christensen and his daughter, Brooklyn, smile for the camera.

Sen. Mark Christensen is obviously very proud of his family. He can hardly begin talking about them before laying out school photos of each of his children, by age, on the table before his audience.

Christensen has seven children ranging in age from 22 to one – Erica Fish, Emilee Fish, Steven Fish, Isaiah Christensen, Ryelee Christensen, Brooklyn Christensen and Malachi Christensen.

“We run a hectic schedule,” he said, laughing.

As he points to each photo he relays information about each child – what sports they play, what kind of personality and special talents they have, what sort of relationship they have with their dad.

Christensen helps run the family farm and also works as a commodity broker in Imperial. He said he enjoys the challenges of the financial market.

“Marketing is the most difficult job and a farmer does it everyday,” he said.

A graduate of Arapahoe High School, Christensen graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with an agricultural economics degree.

Between the farm, the market, and other community involvements – Wesleyan Church board member, Rotary, Pheasants Forever and more – Christensen said he still finds time for his favorite thing: his family. He and his family enjoy boating, camping and skiing in Colorado. Although that means he must settle for about six hours of sleep a night, Christensen doesn’t seem to mind.

“Six hours is pretty normal,” he said.

While he enjoys the hustle and bustle of his life, Christensen said the solitude of the farming life is sometimes a nice break.

“I enjoy the peace and quiet,” he said. “Being off by myself, being my own boss – it is an independence unseen in any other profession.”