Clayton A. Christianson

Clayton A. Christianson, 88 a lifetime resident and farmer of the Devils Lake area, died on Monday morning, July 26, 2010 at Mercy Hospital with his family at his side. Funeral Services for Clayton will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Reuben G. Schnaidt will officiate and Clayton will be laid to rest in the Norway Lutheran Cemetery, rural Devils Lake. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and a Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Clayton will be Brian Very, Kevin Very, Wade Christianson, Matt Jirava, Kenny Christianson and Aaron Zuther. Music will be provided by Carrie Jirava and Lisa Christianson and Lynda Pearson, organist Clayton Alfred was born on October 26, 1921 at Ramsey, ND the son of Alfred and Carrie (Halvorson) Christianson. At a young age the family moved to the farm in Pelican Township and Clayton then attended Pelican Township School. Clayton was united in marriage to Viola Halvorson on March 14, 1946 at Devils Lake. They established their home on the farm in Pelican Township and made this their home through the years. Farming, tending the soil, caring for the land-this would be Clayton’s passion until his death. He farmed on his own and then helped his son Curtis on the farm until retiring at the age of 85. But at age 86, he still drove the tractor one last time. In 1967, Clayton and Viola moved to Devils Lake and made Lake Region Junior College their home, serving as Dorm Parents and Clayton worked as a custodian in the winter months until retiring in 1986. Clayton was a member of the Norway Lutheran Church until it closed. He served on the church council and was also very active on the Norway Lutheran Cemetery committee for many years. He worked with others of the area making sure graves were dug-winter, spring, summer or fall. Since the closing of the Norway Lutheran Church, Clayton has been a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Clayton loved music and played several instruments. In his much younger years, Clayton and his Dad and other family members would play at dances that were many times held in someone’s home. Eventually, Clayton would play with friends and neighbors in the area. Clayton’s roots ran deep in the sod he loved, in his love and devotion to family and in his faith. Clayton leaves his loving family. The children Curtis Christianson and his wife, Ardis of Valley City, ND and Marilyn and her husband Mark Very of Bismarck, ND; grandchildren Carrie (Matt) Jirava, Wade (Becky) Christianson, Lisa Christianson (fiancé, Aaron Zuther) and Brian Very and Kevin (Myra) Very; great grandchildren Toby Bjerklie, Karli Jirava, Evan Jirava, Madesyn Jirava, Alexa Very and James Very; brother Vernon Christianson and his wife Agnes and sister Ann and her husband Duane Johnson all of Devils Lake; sisters-in-law Maxine Christianson, Grand Forks, Evelyn Miller, Devils Lake, Eunice Bengson, Fargo, Dallas (Leslie) Ellingson, Bismarck and brother-in-law Norris (Maxine) Halvorson, Hoyt Lake, MN; many nieces,nephews and their families also survive. Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Viola on December 25, 2007 and brother Donald Christianson.