Gerald Eugene Christiansen 1940-2012

CHRISTIANSEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/3/2012 at 11:49:35

Sioux City Journal
October 12, 2012

SIOUX CITY | Gerald Eugene Christiansen, 72, of Sioux City, died Tuesday morning, Oct. 9, 2012, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport, with the Rev. Russell C. Senstad officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery (Midway), Battle Creek, Iowa. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service.

He was born on May 30, 1940, in Ida Grove, Iowa. Gerald attended high school in Remsen, Iowa, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., and the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he earned a master's degree in nuclear physics. He taught math at Valparaiso University and in several Iowa high schools. Other employers included Wincharger in Sioux City and the Walther League Camp in Okoboji, Iowa.

Gerald struggled with health problems throughout his life including polio at age nine, a mental breakdown shortly after completing his master's degree, COPD and heart disease.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Florence Christiansen of Sioux City; his bother, Kenneth and wife, Karen of Jacksonville, Fla.; his brother, James of Paris, France; and nieces and nephews, Gwen of Biarritz, France, John and wife, Melanie of Toledo, Ohio, and Christopher and wife, Beth of Jacksonville.

His father, the Rev. Alfred Christiansen, preceded him in death.

Thanks to the Rev. Russel Senstad of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Thanks also to Walt and Arlene Schindler and Del Goehring who provided personal care over many years. And to the staff of St. Luke’s Center for Behavioral Health.