Paul H. Christianson, age 90, a resident of Forest Plaza Assisted Living in Forest City, died on Sun., March 15, 2020, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
According to his wishes, Paul’s final gift was to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, that his body donation may benefit the medical community.
A memorial service was held Sat., May 16, 2020, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville, Iowa, with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating.
Inurnment was in Salem Memorial Cemetery, rural Lake Mills.
Paul Homer Christianson was born on June 10, 1929, near Scarville, Iowa, to John T. and Alice (Peterson) Christianson. He attended rural school in Newton Township until 6th grade, then entered school in Scarville where he graduated from high school in 1947. He attended Luther College for one semester, then returned to Scarville to help on the farm.
On July 18, 1948, he was united in marriage with his high school classmate, Ethel Zachariason at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville. To this union three children were born.
Paul farmed in the Scarville area for 30 years until moving to Lake Mills where he was employed at Stamp Milling Co. until retirement. In retirement he held various part-time positions including Winnebago Co-op Telephone Association, delivering Winnebago motorhomes, and driving the Lake Mills city transit.
He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville where he had served on the church council and was a choir member.
Paul is survived by his spouse Ethel of Forest City, Iowa; three children, Lon Christianson ’73 (Jane) of Bemidji, Minn., Kathy (Michael) Tjaden of Forest City, and Barbara (James) Renshaw of Lake Mills; seven grandchildren, Emily Christianson, Lara (Chad) Plathe, Brent Tjaden, Katie Renshaw, Karla (Andrew) Faber, Stephanie (Keeyon) Carter, and Kelly (Ben) Nieman; six great-grandchildren, Cole Plathe, Lillian Plathe, Weston Pilgrim, Myles Carter, Owen Nieman, and Emmett Carter; and two more great-grandchildren anticipated before the service in May. Paul is also survived by a brother, J. Gordon Christianson ‘49; a sister Donna (Christianson) Baalson ’58 (Clarence Baalson ‘55) ; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and many brothers- and sisters-in-law.