Richard "Dick" Keith Christensen

Richard “Dick” Keith Christensen II, age 74, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, surrounded by his loving family.

Family and friends are invited to commemorate Dick’s life on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 5:30 PM, with fellowship to follow.

Dick was born on July 8, 1951, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Richard Keith and Marian Irene Christensen. He graduated from Fremont High School in Fremont, Nebraska, in 1970, and later attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

On October 9, 1970, Dick met the love of his life, Deborah (Deb) Sievert, in Fairmont, Nebraska. They were married just over a year later, beginning a marriage that lasted nearly 54 years.

Dick began his career working in the family’s farming and construction business. In 1977, the extended Christensen family relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to build Candlelight Park, a 1,000-site RV and mobile home community. Though Florida was home base during the winter months, Dick and his family remained rooted in the Midwest with summers spent farming and ranching in Nebraska. When Candlelight Park sold in 1997, Dick and Deb were newly minted empty nesters and looking for their next project when they landed in Iowa in 1998.

That year, Dick and Deb purchased Timberline Campground in Waukee, Iowa. They poured their hearts into running the campground during the summers and spent their winters traveling across the U.S. with their three beloved dogs.

A man of many talents and interests, Dick was endlessly curious. Whether restoring antique cars with his kids, hitting the road to explore new places, or buying and improving properties in Florida, Iowa and Texas, he embraced life with energy, enthusiasm, and an ever-present sense of humor. Above all, Dick treasured his family, and his legacy is one of love, laughter and devotion.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Deb; his three children: Rachel Christensen Grilli, Richard “Chris” (Jenn) Keith Christensen III and Ryan (Ana) Christensen; his six grandchildren: Katie, Ellie, Charlotte, Vivian, Ryan, and Richard IV “Ryker”; his sister Rhonda (Don) Dramstad, brother Reed (Mary) Christensen, and many nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines, honoring Dick’s love for animals.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the nurses and doctors in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital, whose kindness and care meant so much during Dick’s final days.