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Melvin M. Christianson

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Melvin M. Christianson

Birth	:	19 Oct 1923 Oberon, Benson County, North Dakota, USA
Death	:	4 Dec 2002 Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate	:	48.1163180, -98.8411680
Plot	:	Block 11, Lot 16, Space 3, Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery 2nd addition
Description	:	DEVILS LAKE -- Melvin "Mel" Christianson, 79, Devils Lake, died Dec. 4, 2002, at a Grand Forks hospital. Services were held Dec. 9 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake, with the Rev. C.F. Wilhelm officiating. Burial was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Neathery-Simensen Post No. 756, Devils Lake. Melvin Martin Christianson was born Oct. 19, 1923, to Olaf and Mary Ann (Monaghan) Christianson on the family farm northwest of Oberon. Mel was the eighth of 10 sons born to his mother. He grew up on the family farm homesteaded by... Read More	DEVILS LAKE -- Melvin "Mel" Christianson, 79, Devils Lake, died Dec. 4, 2002, at a Grand Forks hospital. Services were held Dec. 9 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake, with the Rev. C.F. Wilhelm officiating. Burial was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Neathery-Simensen Post No. 756, Devils Lake. Melvin Martin Christianson was born Oct. 19, 1923, to Olaf and Mary Ann (Monaghan) Christianson on the family farm northwest of Oberon. Mel was the eighth of 10 sons born to his mother. He grew up on the family farm homesteaded by his grandfather, Patrick Monaghan. He attended school in Oberon. He was a member of the basketball team, which traveled by train through a blizzard to Minot to play in a state basketball tournament in 1941. They took third place. In 1941 he was "recruited" to play basketball at the University of North Dakota, and upon arrival was directed to the football field. He lived in University Station as it became part of student housing, and was supplied with a study lamp fueled by electricity (a first), compliments of the UND athletic department. He was a member of ROTC at the university. As hostilities flared in western Europe, Mel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Dec. 10, 1942. He attended Purdue University while awaiting further orders for officers' training. He became impatient to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 14, 1944. He attended Northwestern Midshipmen School and was commissioned an ensign. He served on the U.S. Pamina (Third Amphibious Force) which was sent to the south Pacific. His ship was maneuvering 150 miles off of Japan's coast preparing for invasion when the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. He was commissioned lieutenant (JD) and continued to serve in the Navy Reserves after his discharge in 1946. Mel returned to his studies at the University of North Dakota. He married Jean Charlotte Bohlig on Nov. 13, 1948, in Minnewaukan. They had six children. Mel graduated from UND Law School in 1949, always crediting the GI Bill as the best law ever passed by Congress. He practiced law for one year in Enderlin, then moved to Minnewaukan where he established a solo practice and served as state's attorney for Benson County for 13 years. Mel was instrumental in building the swimming pool and golf course, called Scented Sands because it was built on a dump ground. He also started the Boy Scout program. In 1963 Mel joined Francis E. Foughty in Devils Lake to form the law partnership of Foughty and Christianson. Mel and Frank practiced law until December 2000, when after 52 years they both retired. He was a member of the Lake Region Bar Association, Northeast Regional Bar Association and the North Dakota State Bar Association. Mel was extremely proud of his country and was very active in veterans' organizations, serving on local, state and national committees of the American Legion while in Minnewaukan and Devils Lake. He was commander of the Disabled Veterans and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also belonged to Kiwanis, Elks, Eagles, Knights of Columbus and 40 & 8. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. Mel's family was always his first priority -- rarely missing any events of his children. He was known to his grandchildren as "Toy Grandpa." He had a tremendous love of all people and was always curious about life. With few words, his sense of humor brought a smile to everyone he encountered. He was an avid sports fan and in later years became obsessed with NFL football. He never lost touch with his farming roots and reveled in the marvels of nature. He was a gardener who bragged about his tomatoes. He enjoyed hunting and traveling. Mel is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons and two daughters-in-law, John and Melody Christianson and Paul Christianson, all of Devils Lake, and Neil and LeAnn Christianson, Billings, Mont.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and John Mahoney, Center, Mary and Doug Berg, Devils Lake, and Gail and Bill Halgren, Apple Valley, Minn.; 13 grandchildren, Chad, Katelynn, Kendall and Abreanna Christianson, Justin Spoor, Jill Keegan, James Christianson, Carly, Allie, Johnny Pat and Jackie Mahoney and Tricia and Jason Berg; five great-grandchildren; and one brother and sister-in-law, Lester and Ruth Christianson, Devils Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents; and eight brothers, Everett Wallace, Maurice Wallace, Earl Wallace, Clifford Wallace, Kenneth Wallace, Lyle Wallace, Alvin Wallace and Henry Christianson. Memorials may be directed to the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 613, Annapolis, MD 21404-0613. (Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake) The Bismarck Tribune - 4 December 2002

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Melvin M. Christianson's memorial?
Melvin M. Christianson's memorial is located at: Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake, Ramsey County, USA.
When did Melvin M. Christianson death?
Melvin M. Christianson death on 4 Dec 2002 in Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Melvin M. Christianson's memorial?
Latitude: 48.1163180
Longitude: -98.8411680

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Jean Charlotte Bohlig Christianson

(1922 - 2008)

Siblings

Lester Eugene Christianson

(1927 - 2006)

Earl P Wallace

(1915 - 1995)

Kenneth Wallace

(1917 - 1999)

Children

John Melvin Christianson

(1949 - 2013)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery
Devils Lake, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1163180, -98.8411680

2. Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery
Devils Lake, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1166290, -98.8409690

3. Solwey Ranch Cemetery
Saint Michael, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0252590, -98.8041880

4. Grand Harbor Cemetery
Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1585999, -98.9897003

5. Zion Cemetery
Stevens Township, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0894740, -98.6809810

6. Saint Michaels Catholic Church Cemetery
Saint Michael, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9828160, -98.8713040

7. Native American Cemetery
Saint Michael, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9823376, -98.8706338

8. Saint Benedicts Cemetery
Crary, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1932880, -98.6588680

9. Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery
Crary, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0566490, -98.6388450

10. Crary Cemetery
Crary, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0564003, -98.6382980

11. Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery
Devils Lake, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1397282, -99.0712715

12. Spirit Lake Assembly of God Cemetery
Fort Totten, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9883687, -99.0012872

13. Fort Totten Post Cemetery
Fort Totten, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9775800, -98.9930800

14. Webster Cemetery
Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2813988, -98.9180984

15. Fox Lake Cemetery
Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2164001, -98.5843964

16. Dakotah Oyate Lutheran Cemetery
Tokio, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9118878, -98.8243692

17. Saint Paul Cemetery
Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2164001, -99.1138992

18. Bdecan Presbyterian Cemetery
Tokio, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9057400, -98.8252200

19. Saint Jeromes Catholic Cemetery
Fort Totten, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9877960, -99.0993510

20. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery
Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.3320500, -98.8343920

21. Schneider Farm Cemetery
Crary, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2519798, -98.5887000

22. Scandinavia Cemetery
Webster, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.3249660, -98.7438332

23. Doyon Cemetery
Doyon, Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0438995, -98.5314026

24. Presbyterian Cemetery
Ramsey County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2235985, -99.1371994