Charles G. Christianson Feb 12, 1922 – Aug 30, 2014
Charles G. Christianson passed away on August 30, 2014 at the age of 92. A beloved husband and father, he was born on February 12, 1922, the son of Merle and Mabel (Thorison) Christianson. Charles married Mildred Mae Carter on May 26, 1945.
Charles attended the one-room school at Mt. Hope (Eden township in Iowa County) and graduated from Cobb High School. He attended one year of college, with plans to study engineering, before returning home to assist his ailing father on the beef farm. He soon converted the farm to dairy and spent many wonderful years with his wife of 69 years, Mildred, raising their six children.
Charles cared deeply for the farm, both the tillable acreage and the bluffs with massive pine trees. A conservationist at heart, he was a pioneer in installing contour strips and grass waterways. He led a frugal life, choosing to repair machinery rather than buy new. It was common to see a welding rod in one hand and a hammer in the other. He experienced many changes during his farming career, from farming with horses to eventually milking with a pipeline system. He was proud to pass the family farm, established in 1861, to his son Steven.
Charles led by example, emphasizing a strong work ethic and an appreciation for music, church and neighbors. Education was especially important to Charles. He actively supported the establishment of the Iowa-Grant school district and was a member of the building committee which chose the architect and ultimately the unique design of the Iowa-Grant High School. He was proud that all his children were able to graduate from college. Charles nurtured a strong Christian faith. His tattered bible is a testament to his faith.
Charles also required a steady diet of fun. He loved to take photographs and videos of his family. He enjoyed eating lutefisk and lefse. When his children offered to take him to Norway, if he replaced his bum knee, he leapt at the chance and soon thereafter visited Norway in 1993.
He was instrumental in establishing Blackhawk Lake and regularly fished and boated on the lake. Neighborhood parties and family campouts have been held on the farm bluffs for decades. Despite the rigors of farming, he found time to camp at Hatfield and Blackhawk Lake and to visit his children.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his only sister Delva Harris Anderson and her husbands Gerald Harris and Homer Anderson, his sister-in-law Lois (Clayton) Clifton, and brother-in-law Lloyd (Ruth) Carter.
Charles is survived by his wife, Mildred, and 6 children, Mary Jo Wagner of Eau Claire, WI and her children Chris (Heather) Wagner, Annette (John) McClelland and Melissa (Eric) Thering; Peggy (Brad) Biddick of Livingston, WI and their children Jason (Wendy) Biddick and Amy (Jeff) Crull; Janie (Pat) Griswold of Dallas, TX and their children Erik (Leslie) Griswold and Rachel (Marc) Stein; Joette (Don) Suloff of Middleton, WI and their daughter Kristen Suloff; Jill Hynes of Fort Collins, CO and her son Logan Hynes; and Steven (Christina) Christianson of Cobb, WI and their children Christl Burns, Charles Christianson and Carter Christianson; and 18 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral Services were held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 6, 2014 at Grace Lutheran Church in Dodgeville. Pastor Kenneth L. Schaub officiated. Burial was at the East Bethlehem Cemetery. The Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home in Dodgeville served the family. Memorials to the Iowa-Grant Education Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
Mildred Mae Christianson (May 12, 1925 - January 28, 2017)
Mildred Mae Carter Christianson, 91, passed away on January 28, 2017, in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Beloved wife and mother, Mildred was born on May 12, 1925 in Montfort, Wisconsin, the daughter of Mary Dewitt and William Carter. Mildred attended school at Montfort, graduating as Salutatorian of her high school class. While Montfort was a small town, it had the luxury of a movie theatre and swimming pool. During high school, Mildred worked at the Montfort Pool as the Matron. Mildred often rode the train to Fennimore, as easily as we hop in the car today.
Mildred worked at the Cobb Canning Company before moving to Madison to work as an office typist. On May 26, 1945, she married Charles and they began their married life on the Christianson family dairy farm, founded in 1861. Her dedication and Christian beliefs created a rewarding and delightful family life, inspiring family gatherings on the farm that continue today. Son Steven and family now live on the Christianson Century Farm.
Mildred provided for her family’s needs by sewing dresses for her five daughters, keeping the wood stoves lit and creating delicious meals, along with feeding calves, tending to the chickens, washing the milkers and mowing lawn. In the summer she raised a huge garden, canned fruits, vegetables and beef, made the best apple butter and taught her daughters how to pick beans, enjoy the taste of rhubarb punch and the fragrance of lilies of the valley. She had a good flock of hens that produced an abundance of eggs used to trade with local grocers. There was always a mid-afternoon snack of sandwiches, ice water in mason jars, and cookies brought out to the fields during harvest.
Mildred taught herself to play the piano (with the help of her sister, Lois) and soon accompanied her children as they sang at various school, church and 4-H functions. Other hobbies included rosemaling, furniture refinishing and camping at Hatfield, Blackhawk Lake and Governor Dodge. Mildred and Charles enjoyed many trips in their motorhome visiting children. Mildred was an active member in the Women’s Circle of Peace Lutheran Church in Cobb, WI and Grace Lutheran Church in Dodgeville, WI and numerous Bible studies for many years.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Charles Christianson, her sister Lois Nancy Clifton and husband Clayton, her brother Lloyd Carter and wife Ruth, and her sister-in-law Delva Christianson Harris Anderson and husbands Gerald Harris and Homer Anderson.
Mildred is survived by her 6 children: Mary Jo Wagner of Eau Claire, WI and her children Christian (Heather) Wagner, Annette (John) McClelland and Melissa (Eric) Thering; Peggy (Brad) Biddick of Livingston, WI and their children Jason (Wendy) Biddick and Amy (Jeff) Crull; Janie (Pat) Griswold of Dallas, TX and their children Erik (Leslie) Griswold and Rachel (Marc) Stein; Joette (Don) Suloff of Middleton, WI and their daughter Kristen Suloff; Jill Hynes of Fort Collins, CO and her son Logan Hynes; and Steven (Christina) Christianson of Cobb, WI and their children Christl (Cole) Roelli, Charles Christianson and Carter Christianson; and 18 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation and funeral were held at Grace Lutheran Church, Dodgeville, WI February 4, 2017. Interment took place at East Bethlehem Cemetery on Sunday, February 5, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Iowa-Grant Education Foundation, to be included in the Charles and Mildred Christianson Endowed Scholarship.