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Dr. Lewis Christianson | Visitation:
Friday, January 16, 2009
9:00 AM until 10:30 AM
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
1810 N. McDonald St.
Appleton, WI
Service:
Friday, January 16, 2009
10:30 AM
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
1810 N. McDonald St.
Appleton, WI
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| | | Christianson, Dr. Lewis
Dr. Lewis I. Christianson, age 85 of Appleton passed away Monday, January 12, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was born March 9, 1923 on a farm near Pierz, Minnesota to Ole and Merry Alice Christianson. One of seven children, he had three brothers and three sisters. When Lew was 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp working in the northern Minnesota forests until he was old enough to enter the military. In November of 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force Cadet Training Program. After basic training at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri, he was stationed at the State Teacher College in Stevens Point, Wisconsin for initial training. Here he met Beth Hennick, his future wife. He was then sent to Douglas, Arizona Air Force Base and graduated from pilot’s school in February of 1944 as a second lieutenant. He then completed additional training in heavy bombing operations.
In May 1944, he married Beth Hennick in Los Angeles, and was sent overseas in June with the 10th Air Force as a B-24 pilot. In the China-Burma-India Theater he distinguished himself in forty bombing missions, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
He was released from active duty in December 1945, as a First Lieutenant. After discharge he returned to Stevens Point State College to complete pre-dental studies. In June 1951 he graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry. Upon completion of dental school, he went on duty with the Army Dental Corp serving two years in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In June 1953, he moved his family to Appleton and went into private dental practice for 21 years.
During those years, Lewis was a very active member of the community, serving in many organizations. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, Council 607 and served as Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Outagamie County Dental Society and was President of the group. He worked with the St. Therese Parish Holy Name Society and the St. Therese Home-School Association. He was instrumental in the founding of Xavier High School in Appleton and was involved in many areas of volunteer work as his three children attended school there.
Lewis’ many hobbies included skiing, golfing and camping. He dabbled in photography, jewelry making and woodworking, even building a ten foot outboard runabout that his family enjoyed for waterskiing on Wisconsin lakes. But, his passion was flying. He spent many happy years flying his American Yankee airplane and taking his family and friends on short trips. He also became a licensed flying instructor. He was an avid reader and enjoyed fiddling on his guitar and playing the harmonica.
In 1974 Lew and Beth moved to Evanston, Wyoming, where he became director of the dental clinic at the Wyoming State Hospital for 12 years. During this time he became an off campus faculty member of the University of Nebraska, with senior dental students interning under him at the hospital. He loved the western mountains and enjoyed fishing and riding his motorcycle there. In 1986 Lewis retired and he and Beth moved back to Appleton. He spent much of his retirement time on the golf course and traveling. He and Beth had 54 wonderful, fulfilling years together before she passed away in February of 1998.
In march of 1999 Lew married Barbara Adrian and they resided in Appleton. For many years they enjoyed traveling the country together.
Lewis is survived by three children: Joanne (Larry) Gage; Lt Col. David (Mary) Christianson, USAF-retired and Karen (Gary) Sulak; six grandchildren: Mark Christianson, Cassy Christianson, Paul Gage, Jennifer Boll, Krista Galle and David Laub and six great grandsons. He is also survived by Barbara Adrian and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters: Peggy and Grace and a brother: Jerry.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Beth, two brothers Everett and Milton and a sister Merry Jeanne.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held 10:30 AM Friday, January 16, 2009, at St Thomas More Catholic Church 1810 N. McDonald St. with Rev. Gerald Falk officiating. Burial will take place at Royalton Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday from 9 AM until the time of service. A memorial fund has been established.
We salute you dad and God speed on your final flight.
Brettschneider-Trettin-Lederer
606 N. Oneida St. Appleton
920-733-7383 www.btlfuneral.com
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