Paul D. Christianson

Paul D. Christianson ”Fox”, 72 of Devils Lake passed away at his home in the loving care of his family and Hospice on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.

Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, July 9, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Then at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.  Funeral Services will be on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Anthony Cruz as the Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake.

Paul David Christianson, son of Melvin and Jean (Bohlig) Christianson was born on December 1, 1950, in Devils Lake ND. He grew up in Minnewaukan, attended elementary school there and graduated from Central High School in Devils Lake with the class of 1968. In high school he was a talented athlete and excelled in baseball, football, and basketball. He continued his education at UND, Grand Forks. He played centerfield on the UND baseball team. He also enjoyed membership in the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

Paul was always adventurous, and enjoyed working at a wide variety of jobs. 

After college he lived in Palm Springs, Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.  His true talent was as a carpenter.  He built several homes, including one for his sister and an apartment complex for his father.  He was part of the construction crews for the coal gasification plants in Spiritwood and Center, ND and worked many years at various nuclear power plants in Minnesota.  He was a proud member of the Carpenters Union, Local 87 out of St Paul, Minnesota.   

Paul’s roots in the Devils Lake area were the perfect setting for his love of the outdoors; hunting, gardening, and fishing. He could always be found at the end of a fishing pole with either Jack Kitsch or Tony Schmaltz or his little brother Neil.

Paul felt blessed to have the love and friendship of Marlene Hanson over the years.

We say goodbye to our dad, brother, uncle, cousin, and dear friend. We will miss you and love you forever. 

                                   “Put me in coach I’m ready to play today!”

Paul’s loving family include his son Justin (Marci) Spoor of Grand Forks; brother Neil (LeAnn) Christianson, Billing MT; sisters Ann (John) Mahoney, Bismarck ND, Mary (Doug) Berg, Devils Lake and Gail (Bill) Halgren, also of Devils Lake; cousins and many nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John.