Thomas Christiansen

Thomas A. Christiansen was born on a farm in rural Vail, Iowa, November 2, 1928, the son of Ludwig and Agnes Brogan Christiansen. He was raised in Crawford County receiving his early education in the rural schools before being graduated from the Deloit High School. Following high school he farmed with his parents. During the Korean War, from March of 1953 until his discharge in January of 1955, Thomas served his country in the United States Army. Following his discharge he returned to the farm north of Denison. On August 25, 1954, Thomas was united in marriage with Alice Riesselman at St. Augustine Catholic Church at Halbur, Iowa. Their union was blessed with five children, Joe, Donna, Jane, Mary and Lynne. They made their home on the farm north of Denison until 1981 when they moved into Denison. In addition to his farming career, Thomas was a crop insurance adjuster with Grinnell Mutual Insurance retiring as a supervisor at age 77. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren and going out to the farm. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 8 and the Farm Bureau. Thomas died Monday, March 24, 2008, at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 79 years, 4 months and 22 days. Including his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by two brothers, Orville and LaVern Christiansen and three sisters, Rita Wiebers, LaVonne Stoelk and Mary Joyce Christiansen. Those remaining to cherish and honor his memory include his wife of over 53 years, Alice of Denison, five children and their spouses, Joe and Cindy Christiansen of Omaha, Nebraska, Donna and Clair Moeller of Hudson, Wisconsin, Jane and Mike Moeller of Lake City, Iowa, Mary and Dave Unger of Norfolk, Nebraska, and Lynne and Jeff Pierce of Ankeny, Iowa, 10 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, one great grandson, two sisters, Sylvia Pearson and Betty and husband, Don Eggers of Denison, two brothers-in-law, Andy Wiebers of Denison and Wes Stoelk of Westside, sister-in-law, Ann Christiansen of Carroll, Iowa, other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 28, 2008 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Others participating in the mass will include Christian Symbol Placers, his children, Joe, Donna, Jane, Mary and Lynne; Servers, Hannah Brus and Samantha Pick; Lectors, grandchildren, Leah Moeller and Sara Anderson; Eucharistic Minister, Dorothy Leinen; and Gift bearers, grandchildren, Deanna Christiansen, Jana Unger and Anna Moeller. Music for the mass will be provided by St. Rose of Lima Adult singing "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art", "Be Not Afraid" and "On Eagles Wings" with Jean Cornelius serving as organist. Those serving as pallbearers will be grandchildren, Richie T. Erickson, Carl Moeller, Shawn A. Erickson, Thomas Moeller, Paul Moeller and Shane Unger. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa. Interment will be at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Denison. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison is in charge of arrangements where friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 27. A Legion of Mary Rosary will be prayed at 4:30p.m.Thursday and a Parish Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Following the services all are invited to a luncheon prepared and served by the St. Rose of Lima Guild at the St. Rose Parish Center in Denison. Online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com .