Arthur William Christiansen

Arthur William Christiansen, age 97, formerly of Freeborn, died peacefully Monday, September 17, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea.  Visitation at St. John’s Chapel will be 1 p.m., Sunday, September 23 followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m.  Pastor Donald Malinsky will officiate.  Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn American Legion Post.  Interment will be at Freeborn Cemetery.  Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Art was born June 15, 1921 in rural Manchester to George and Martha (Stoddart) Christiansen.  He graduated from Freeborn High School in 1939.  Art then continued his education at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.  He enlisted in the Army where he served from 1942 to 1946.  He was in the 11th Armor Division of the 3rd Army under General Patton in Europe during WWII. 

Art was united in marriage to Edith O’Brien on April 14, 1946, in Santa Barbara, California.  He retired from the Freeborn County Highway Department as Shop Forman.  He was a member of the Freeborn American Legion for 72 years, the V.F.W., and retired from the Freeborn Fire Department as Assistant Fire Chief.  Art had a good sense of humor and enjoyed sharing it with everyone.  He loved his family and playing cards with them and others.  His favorite teams were the Twins and Vikings.  He liked wood working, fishing, and gardening.

Art is survived by two daughters, Linda Crofton and Betty (Tom) Sime of Albert Lea; six grandchildren, Tonya (Michael) Reineke of Inver Grove Heights, Lynette (Tony) Hartmann of Largo, FL, Tammy Sime of Albert Lea, Dawn (Theo) Beckmann of Freeborn, Brent (Katherine) Crofton of Ft. Drum, NY, and Rachel Amundson of Austin; 13 great-grandchildren, Stephen and Christopher Reineke, Kristina and Jacquelyn Hartmann, Katherine and Crystal Sime, Aidan, Jade, and Morgan Beckmann, Owen and Edith Crofton, Matthew, Christian, and Keegan Amundson; sisters, Leona Schwartz of Northfield and Elvira Young of New Richland; sisters-in-law, Betty Loyd of Hemet, CA and Arlene Christiansen of St. Paul.

Art was preceded in death by his wife, Edith; parents, George and Martha Christiansen; in-laws, George and Elizabeth O’Brien; siblings, Edith (Elmer) Lee, Marvin (Lois) Christiansen, Lyle Christiansen; brothers-in-law, Elmer Young, Elmer Schwartz, Eugene Loyd; niece, Sharon Morriem; and nephew, Larry Loyd.

Memorials preferred to Freeborn Fire and Ambulance, Gilmore Stensrud American Legion of Freeborn, or the Freeborn Cemetery.