Wayne Christenson

Mandan

Wayne Allen Christenson Sr., 97, peacefully passed on Dec. 31, 2024 in Bellevue, Wash. The funeral will be held at First Lutheran Church in Mandan on June 16th 2025 at 8 a.m. with burial to follow at the Union Cemetery, Mandan.

Born Sept. 5,1927 in Mandan to Thoralf H. and Natalie (Weiss) Christenson. Wayne graduated from Mandan High School in 1945. He served in the Merchant Marines from 1945 to 1947 as a Junior Engineer. Wayne married Euneva Mae Benham on June 4, 1948. In 1955 they moved to Minot.

Wayne became manager at the Railway Express Agency where he received the Presidential Citation Award for Individual Initiative. In 1974, Wayne became a realtor for Signal Realty, Inc. He was awarded Realtor of the Year in 1981.

Wayne, Euneva, and their four children attended Augustana Lutheran Church in Minot where he served as a Deacon. Other affiliations include American Legion, Elks, Eagles, Minot Country Club, Gun Club, Retriever Club, Ski Club, Minot Jaycees, and Minot Chamber of Commerce.

Wayne also belonged to the YMCA Men’s Club where he received a special award for “Many Years of Outstanding Service” in 1983 and recognized as “Lay Person of the Year” in 1986.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Thoralf and Natalie Christenson, his wife Euneva Mae Christenson, his second wife Marilyn J. (Hawley) Schauss, and a son, David Wayne Christenson. Wayne lost his brother Carroll, who was killed in action in WWII at Iwo Jima. He also lost his older brother LeRoy Christenson, his half-sister Connie Kautzman and a grandson Reid Christenson.

Wayne is survived by his sons, Dr. Wayne A. (Heidi) Christenson, Jr. of Mich. and Dr. Randal L. Christenson of N.Y.; his daughters, Sheri L. (Kevin) Rasmussen of Wash. and Dr. Marly J. Christenson (John Thomas) of Wash.; his grandchildren, Dr. Wayne A. (Jamie) Christenson III of Mich., Hunter (Samantha) Christenson of Mich., Autumn (Evan) Holzgren of Mont., Skylar Christenson of Mich/, Evan Christenson of N.Y., Emily Christenson of N.Y., Matthew (Tybrina Taylor) Rasmussen of Wash., and Nathan Rasmussen of Wash.; his 4 great grandchildren, Noah Christenson, Breanna Christenson of Mich., Bennett Christenson of Mich., Ariana Christenson of N.Y. and his step-grandchildren, Jonathan Thomas of U.T., William Thomas of Calif., and 5 other step great-grandchildren.

Wayne is also survived by his youngest brother Loren (Terri) Christenson of Minn., his stepson Ken Yetter, stepdaughters Joyce Yetter, Ellen Barth, Kelly Hartwig and 6 additional step-grandchildren on Marilyn’s side of the family.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 17, 2025.