AGNES G. CHRISTIANSON

Agnes G. Christianson, 93 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Center with her beloved Vernon at her side.    Funeral Services for Agnes will be held on Monday, April 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Jeff Nicla officiating.  Burial will be in the Norway Cemetery, rural Devils Lake in the spring.    Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a Time of Remembrance at 6:00 p.m.  Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.    Agnes Gertrude, daughter of Alfred and Clara (Toso) Moen was born on April 16, 1920, rural Devils Lake.  She attended a country school and graduated from Devils Lake High School with the class of 1939.  She continued her education at Valley City State Teacher’s College and received her teaching certificate.  Her first teaching position was at the Pelican Township School.    Agnes was united in marriage to Vernon T. Christianson on March 10, 1944 in the Fort Snelling Chapel in Minnesota. While stationed at Fort Snelling, Agnes was employed at Wold Chamberlain Airport in the construction of gliders and after being transferred to Camp Custer, Michigan, Agnes worked at a paper box factory in Battle Creek.  When Vernon went overseas, Agnes returned to the Lake Region area and lived with her parents, teaching in the area and also was the first bookkeeper at Keatings Furniture when it first opened in Devils Lake in 1953.    After Vernon’s discharge, they made their home in Grand Harbor Township where they lived, farmed and raised their family through the years.  Agnes was a devoted farm wife but also continued to teach school for twenty years at different intervals.  She taught in rural Devils Lake, Webster, ND and also many years at Fort Totten, ND.  In 1997, Agnes and Vernon moved to Devils Lake and have made it their home.    Agnes was a life-long member of the Norway Lutheran Church where she was very active as a member of the WELCA, taught Sunday School and was also very involved in the church music.  After the church closed they joined St. Olaf Lutheran Church and she again was very active in the WELCA, St. Olaf Choir and teaching Sunday School.    Music was such an important part of Agnes’ life and she shared her talent as a pianist and vocalist at many weddings, funerals and community events.  She was the founder, director and accompanist for “The Norseman” singing group-nine men who sang at many events in the Lake Region area and many of the songs in Norwegian.  Agnes also enjoyed membership in the Rebakahs, VFW Auxiliary and the North Dakota Farmers Union.  Agnes was the first recipient of the Unsung Hero Award presented in Devils Lake in 1996.   First and foremost, Agnes was a devoted wife to Vernon for 70 years and loving and doting mother and grandmother.  She was a woman of strong faith, determination and always gave thanks for the many blessings in her life.    Agnes is survived by her husband, Vernon; daughter, Mary Louise and her husband Jay Adam of Langdon, ND and foster daughter, Laurel Leah Johnston of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Keeley Beth (Matt) Witzel of Shakopee, MN and Tanner Jay Adam of Fargo, ND, Cara Marie Hoffart of Kansas City and Cory Alan (Magda) Hoffart of Florida; twin great grandchildren, Weston Matthew and Regan Paige Witzel; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Ann and Duane “Bud” Johnson of Devils Lake and Maxine “Micky” Christianson of Grand Forks, ND; several nieces and nephews also survive.    Music will be provided by Jay Adam, soloist and members of St. Olaf Choir including Russell Pearson and Lynda Pearson, organist.