Lester Eugene Christianson

Lester E. Christianson, 79, a Devils Lake educator and administrator died on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Lester will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Friday, November 10, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Fr. Robert Pecotte will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Les will be Judd, Tyler, Sean and Scott Kunkel, Terry Wallace, Paul Christianson and Neil Christianson. Reading the Scriptures will be Virginia Eisenzimmer and Ann Mahoney Gift Bearers will be Brian, Jane and Cailin Christianson Music will be provided by Patty Cote and Donovan Foughty. Lester Eugene Christianson was born on June 14, 1927, to Olaf and Mary Ann (Monaghan) Christianson on the family farm near Oberon, ND. Les was the youngest of 10 sons born to his mother. He completed the 9th grade in Oberon and then completed High School at the Benson County Agricultural School in Maddock, ND. The Agricultural School schedule allowed him to continue to work on the family farm. He graduated from High School in 1945 and was a member of the “Wildcats” Basketball Team. He started college at North Dakota State University and soon after decided to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army. After Basic Training in Louisiana, he was stationed at Kobe Base in Occupied Japan. He worked as a Hospital Registrar and was assigned to the Army Medical Corp and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. While serving in Japan, he survived an 8.4 earthquake that occurred there in December of 1946. After his honorable discharge, Les continued his education at the University of North Dakota. It was during this time that he met and later married the love of his life, Ruth Fleming. They were married in East Grand Forks on November 22, 1950. The itch to move “west” hit Les and they moved to Seattle, Washington. He worked for the Boeing Company as an inventory clerk. He basically counted airplane parts. The unhappiness of his job and the lack of sunshine, directed him back to North Dakota. After his job experience he poured himself into his goal of completing college. He graduated in 1953 with a Teaching Degree from Minot State Teacher’s College. Ruth supported his educational endeavor by continuing her career with Northwestern Bell Phone Company. In January of 1953, he accepted his first teaching job in Gardina, ND as a social studies teacher and basketball coach. In the fall of 1953 he accepted a social studies teaching position and head basketball coach position in Edmore, ND. In 1955, he started his career in the Devils Lake School system. He started as a Junior High Social Studies teacher and basketball coach. He was also very involved in managing the Track and Field Meets. He continued his education during the summers and in 1961 he graduated from UND with a Masters in Education. In 1965, he became the Junior High Principal, a position he held until 1978. At that time he became the first full time Athletic Director Devils Lake ever had. He held that Administrative position until 1987, when health problems forced his retirement. In 1984, he was named Athletic Director of the year and in 2006 he was inducted into the Devils Lake School Hall of Fame. Les enjoyed reading, especially history and keeping informed of local, national and world events. He always enjoyed a political debate. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, hunting, and fishing and also a sports fan, especially of Notre Dame and UND football. He enjoyed gardening and telling stories with his family. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake, the Elks, VFW, Eagles and Knights of Columbus. Les had a tremendous and unconditional love for his family. He attended his grandchildren’s activities while health allowed. He viewed every day as a gift! In the last few years he enjoyed being with his family. He continued to garden and ride his electric cart around while administrating tasks for his grandchildren. Les will be long remembered as a generous and compassionate leader. Les is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Ruth Daughter: Debra Kunkel and her husband, Scott of Moorhead, Minnesota Son: Brian Christianson and his wife, Jane of Reno, Nevada Grandchildren: Cailin Christianson, Judd Kunkel, Tyler Kunkel and Sean Kunkel. Many nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his son, David Lee; parents; nine brothers, Everett, Maurice, Earl, Clifford, Kenneth, Lyle and Alvin Wallace and Melvin and Henry Christianson.