Donald John Christiansen

Donald J. Christiansen age 81 of Balaton, MN died Thursday, March 3, 2011 at the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone, MN. Services will be 10:30 AM Monday, March 7, 2011 at Sillerud Lutheran Church, rural Balaton. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in the Sillerud Lutheran Cemetery. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Donald John Christiansen was born June 27, 1929 to Charles R. and Signe A. (Swan) Christiansen in Tyler, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Balaton and attended Country School District #8, a mile from his home. He then attended Balaton Public Schools, graduating from Balaton High school in 1947. He then farmed with his father for several years. On July 22, 1951 Donald married Hazel Carter and they made their home near the family farm for a short time. He entered into military service in the U.S. Army on July 30, 1951 and completed his basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC. In January of 1952 he was deployed to Korea and served fifteen months there. He returned to the states and received his honorable discharge at Ft. Carson, CO in June of 1953, with the rank of Sgt. 1st Class. Don returned to rural Balaton and moved his family onto the family farm, where he began farming with his father and brother. Don was active in both his church and community over the years. He had been a life-long member of the Zion Lutheran Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, Superintendent of education, lay minister, church board member and as President of the congregation up until the church’s closing. He helped form the Zion Lutheran Cemetery Association and served on its board for twenty years. He was a current member of Sillerud Lutheran Church. He also served on the Balaton School Board for many years, serving as secretary and chairman of the board. During this time he had the honor of presenting all three of his children their diplomas at their graduations. Farming was his joy in life and had always said he wanted to drive tractor until his death, which he did this last fall, harvesting the crops after his 81st birthday, along with his son, who he had farmed with for many years. Over the years he had also shelled corn and milked cows. He very much enjoyed his family and the grandchildren, and great grandson, family gatherings, especially Christmas time, when he would play the part of Santa Claus each year for the children in the family. Don passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone, MN at the age of 81, surrounded by his loving family. Don is survived by his wife, Hazel Christiansen of Pipestone, MN; two daughters, Carol (Larry) Wenderski of Holdingford, MN and Correen (Randy) Bakke of Marshall, MN; one son, Loren (Suanne) Christiansen of Balaton, MN; seven grandchildren, Zane (Nikki) Wenderski, Staff Sgt. Ryan (Samara) Wenderski, Jeff (April) Bakke, Kristen (fiancé, Kevin Broesder) Bakke, Jessica Bakke, Jordan Christiansen, and Tyler Christiansen; one great grandson, Hunter Wenderski; nieces, nephews and many friends. His parents, sister, Iola ( Robert) Britton, brother, Charles (Marjorie) Christiansen, and nephew, Rick Britton preceded him in death. Blessed be his memory.