Lyle Edward Christianson, 84, Minot, and formerly of Noonan and Kenaston, died on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, in his home.
Lyle was born on Sept. 9, 1927, in Kenmare, to Roy and Pearl (Harris) Christianson. He was raised and educated in Kenmare and Wheelock, where he graduated from high school.
Lyle worked as a telegraph operator for the Great Northern Railroad until enlisting in the Army on Dec. 6, 1945. He served until his honorable discharge on Nov. 13, 1946. Lyle returned to North Dakota and his job on the railroad and lived in Noonan for 20 years until he moved to Minot in 1977. He retired as a depot agent in 1989.
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Lyle was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Noonan, serving as a youth minister and teacher of a high school Bible class and Sunday school. He also served on the Noonan Park Board, School Board and Recreation Commission. Lyle was a member of the Railroad Telegraphers and Noonan American Legion Post. He served as a trainer for the Minot Americans hockey team and also found time to coach youth baseball, softball and basketball for many years. Following his retirement and move to Minot he was honored to have the Noonan baseball field renamed in his honor.
Lyle enjoyed reading and golf as well as UND Sioux and Minnesota Wild hockey games and Minnesota Twins baseball games. Also, he enjoyed caring for his yard and flowers and strongly believed in the value of hard work. He will be especially missed for all of his qualities that made him a devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
His loving family includes: children, Deb (Ron) Vanbeselaire, Melita, Man., Mark (Jody) Christianson, Billings, Mont., Rod (Peni) Christianson, Bismarck, Tim (Monica) Christianson, Glendive, Mont., and Wendy (Keith) Altendorf, Minot; 12 grandchildren, David (Tammy) Fredrickson of Noonan, Tammy (Curt) Mathsen of Wausau, Wis., Chantel (Chris) Dupre of Forsythe, Mont., Abbie (Erick) Jennings of Rapid City, S.D., Hollie (Jeb) Hoffman, Rapid City, Heidi (Ethan) Grover of Rapid City, Amy (Dallas) Roppel of Glendive, Mont., Katie (Shane) Macioroski of Glendive, Craig Christianson (Kelicia Samuelson) of Grand Forks, Kelsey (Tyler) Olsen of Cando, Kristin Altendorf of Minot and Kylee Altendorf of Minot; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; siblings, LaVerne Miller, Anchorage, Alaska, Marilyn (Evron) Rostad, Minot, DeNae (Ron) Thompson, Lake Metigoshe, Valorayne Frantsvog, Fargo, Gary Christianson, Diamond, Calif., and Kathie (Joe) Bauer, Lolo, Mont.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gordon Christianson; sister-in-law, Lois Christianson; and nephews, Trevor Thompson and Jeff Rostad.
Celebration of Lyle's life: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at 1 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.
Graveside service: Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Lakeview Cemetery, rural Kenmare.
Visitation: Monday, June 25, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: Memorials are preferred to the Minot Public Schools Foundation or Camp Metigoshe Ministries.
Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).
